noun
1. the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army) (Freq. 2)
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the strike was supported by the union rank and file
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he rose from the ranks to become a colonel
• Syn: ↑rank
• Topics: ↑military, ↑armed forces, ↑armed services, ↑military machine, ↑war machine
• Member Meronyms: ↑enlisted man
2. people who constitute the main body of any group
• Hypernyms: ↑people
Useful english dictionary. 2012.