the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army); "the strike was supported by the union rank and file"; "he rose from the ranks to become a colonel";
the body of members of an organization or group; "they polled their membership"; "they found dissension in their own ranks"; "he joined the ranks of the unemployed";
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another; "the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen";
position in a social hierarchy; "the British are more aware of social status than Americans are";
relative status; "his salary was determined by his rank and seniority";
assign a rank or rating to; "how would you rank these students?"; "The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide";
take or have a position relative to others; "This painting ranks among the best in the Western World";
take precedence or surpass others in rank;
growing profusely; "rank jungle vegetation";
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible; "a crying shame"; "an egregious lie"; "flagrant violation of human rights"; "a glaring error"; "gross ineptitude"; "gross injustice"; "rank treachery";
very fertile; producing profuse growth; "rank earth";
