Topic: MOTOR VEHICLES
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | renc, reng 'line, place, row' |
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rank1 W3
1 the position or level that someone holds in an organization, especially in the police or the army, navy etc
position in army/organization
[uncountable and countable]SCPPM rise to/be promoted to/attain the rank of something 
During the war Harold had risen to the rank of major.
During the war Harold had risen to the rank of major.2
the ranks
a) SSOPPG the people who belong to a particular organization or group
in/within ... ranks There were splits in the party ranks on this issue. The Democrats now face opposition from within their own ranks.
There were splits in the party ranks on this issue.The Democrats now face opposition from within their own ranks.b) PM all the members of the army, navy etc who are not officers : He rose from the ranks to become a Field Marshal (=he became an officer after starting as an ordinary soldier).
He rose from the ranks to become a Field Marshal (=he became an officer after starting as an ordinary soldier).3 to behave in a way which is different from other members of a group, especially when they expect your support
break ranks
break ranks with He was the first to break ranks with Ceausescu and publicly criticise his policies.
He was the first to break ranks with Ceausescu and publicly criticise his policies.4 a rank of people or things is a line or row of them Everyone lines up in ranks, all facing the instructor.
line
[countable] rank of Silently, ranks of police edged closer to the crowds.
Silently, ranks of police edged closer to the crowds.Everyone lines up in ranks, all facing the instructor. rank after rank/rank upon rank (=a lot of things or people in a row) On the shelves were rank after rank of liquor bottles.
On the shelves were rank after rank of liquor bottles.5 to use your authority over someone to make them do what you want, especially unfairly : You may just have to pull rank and tell them.
pull rank (on somebody)
informalYou may just have to pull rank and tell them.6 the degree to which something or someone is of high quality :
quality
[singular]7 someone's position in society : people of all ranks in society
social class
[uncountable and countable]SSpeople of all ranks in society8 a place where taxis wait in a line to be hired : I called a taxi from the rank outside.
taxi
[countable] also taxi rankTTCI called a taxi from the rank outside.