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rank

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Rank is someone's status or position, especially in society or in the military.

(noun)

A general is an example of a very high military rank.
A person's class status is an example of his rank in society.

To rank is to put things in some type of order, based on a set criteria.

(verb)

When sports players are put in order based on how many home runs they hit, this is an example of a time when sports players are ranked.

See rank in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a row, line, or series
an orderly arrangement
a social division or class; stratum of society: people from all ranks of life
a high position in society; high degree; eminence: a person of rank
an official grade or position: the rank of captain
a relative position, usually in a scale classifying persons or things; grade; degree: a poet of the first rank
any of the rows of squares on a chessboard extending from side to side, perpendicular to the files
Mil.
1. a row of soldiers, vehicles, etc. placed side by side, or abreast of one another
2. the body of soldiers of an army, as distinguished from the officers [to rise from the ranks]: often used metaphorically to refer to the ordinary members of any group, as opposed to its leaders
Music stop ()

Origin: MFr renc < OFr ranc, renc: see range

transitive verb

to place in a rank or ranks
to assign a certain rank, or position, to
☆ to have a higher rank than; outrank

intransitive verb

to hold a certain rank, or position: to rank third on a list
Archaic to form a rank or move in ranks

adjective

growing vigorously and coarsely; overly luxuriant: rank grass
producing or covered with a luxuriant crop; extremely fertile
strong and offensive in smell or taste; rancid
in bad taste; coarse
complete; utter: rank deceit
Obsolete in sexual heat

Origin: ME ranke < OE ranc, strong, proud, akin to MLowG rank, slender, erect, long and thin < IE base *reĝ-, put in order, stretch out > right

Related Forms:

rankly adverb
rankness noun

See rank in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A relative position in a society.
b. An official position or grade: the rank of sergeant.
c. A relative position or degree of value in a graded group.
d. High or eminent station or position: persons of rank.
A row, line, series, or range.
a. A line of soldiers, vehicles, or equipment standing side by side in close order.
b. ranks The armed forces.
c. ranks Personnel, especially enlisted military personnel.
ranks A body of people classed together; numbers: joined the ranks of the unemployed.
Games Any of the rows of squares running crosswise to the files on a playing board in chess or checkers.

verb ranked, rank·ing, ranks

verb, transitive

To place in a row or rows.
To give a particular order or position to; classify.
To outrank or take precedence over.

verb, intransitive

To hold a particular rank: ranked first in the class.
To form or stand in a row or rows.
Slang
a. To complain.
b. To engage in carping criticism. Often used with on: Stop ranking on me all the time.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, line, row

Origin: , from Old French ranc, renc

Origin: , of Germanic origin; see sker-² in Indo-European roots

adjective rank·er, rank·est