a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
"the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen"
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"
position in a social hierarchy
"the British are more aware of social status than Americans are"
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 of people or things organized in a grid pattern, often soldiers.
"The general inspected the rank of soldiers standing at attention before they marched out to battle."
In plain English: Rank is a person's position or status within a group, organization, or society.
"The hotel ranked high on the list of top attractions for tourists."
take or have a position relative to others
"This painting ranks among the best in the Western World"
To place abreast, or in a line.
"The soldiers quickly formed up and ranked themselves along the parade ground before marching to attention."
In plain English: To rank something means to put it in order based on how good or important it is compared to other things.
"The students rank themselves according to their test scores."
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
"absolute freedom"
"an absolute dimwit"
"a downright lie"
"out-and-out mayhem"
"an out-and-out lie"
"a rank outsider"
"many right-down vices"
"got the job through sheer persistence"
"sheer stupidity"
Strong of its kind or in character; unmitigated; virulent; thorough; utter (used of negative things).
"The smell in the basement was rank, making it impossible to stay there for more than a few seconds."
In plain English: Rank means having a high position in a group or organization.
Usage: Use rank as an adjective to describe something extremely unpleasant, such as rank fear or a rank smell. It emphasizes the intensity and severity of a negative quality rather than simply meaning "high" in status.
Quickly, eagerly, impetuously.
"The eager crowd ranked forward to get a closer look at the celebrity before security could stop them."
In plain English: To rank means to move up or down in position within a group based on skill, popularity, or importance.
"The new player ranked second in the tournament but finished first after the tiebreaker rule was applied."
The word rank entered English via Middle English and Old English with the meaning of "proud" or "haughty." Its ultimate origin lies in a root meaning "straight," which evolved to describe someone who is bold and overbearing.