rank definition

1. a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
• examples: the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen
2. relative status
• examples: his salary was determined by his rank and seniority
3. the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army)
• examples: the strike was supported by the union rank and file
• examples: he rose from the ranks to become a colonel
4. take or have a position relative to others
• examples: This painting ranks among the best in the Western World
5. take precedence or surpass others in rank
6. very fertile; producing profuse growth
• examples: rank earth
7. very offensive in smell or taste
• examples: a rank cigar
8. growing profusely
• examples: rank jungle vegetation