📒 the position, especially a high position, that somebody has in a particular organization, society, etc.
- She was not used to mixing with people of high social rank.
- He rose through the ranks to become managing director.
- Within months she was elevated to ministerial rank.
📒 the position that somebody has in the army, navy, police, etc.
- rank of something He was soon promoted to the rank of captain.
- He rose steadily through the ranks and retired as a lieutenant-colonel.
- officers of junior/senior rank
📒 the position of ordinary soldiers rather than officers; the army
- He served in the ranks for most of the war.
- He rose from the ranks (= from being an ordinary soldier) to become a warrant officer.
- a campaign to attract more women into the military ranks
📒 the degree to which somebody/something is of high quality
- a painter of the first rank
- Britain is no longer in the front rank of world powers.
- The findings are arranged in rank order according to performance.
📒 the members of a particular group or organization
- We have a number of international players in our ranks.
- At 50, he was forced to join the ranks of the unemployed.
- There were serious divisions within the party's own ranks.
📒 a line or row of soldiers, police, etc. standing next to each other
- They watched as ranks of marching infantry passed the window.
- They fired at random into the enemy ranks.
- The president moved slowly along the ranks of men.
📒 a line or row of people or things
- massed ranks of spectators
- The trees grew in serried ranks (= very closely together).
- Rank upon rank of caravans filled the field.
📒 a number that gives the position of a member of a set of numbers
📒 to fail to remain in line
- The police broke ranks and started hitting people with their batons.
📒 to refuse to support the group or the organization of which they are members
- Large numbers of MPs felt compelled to break ranks over the issue.
- He broke ranks with his fellow Republicans and opposed the war.
📒 if a group of people close ranks, they work closely together to defend themselves, especially when they are being criticized
- It's not unusual for the police to close ranks when one of their officers is being investigated.
📒 if soldiers close ranks, they move closer together in order to defend themselves
📒 to make use of your place or status in society or at work to make somebody do what you want