1. positions in a hierarchy or system of classification
2. rows of people or things arranged in lines
3. military grades or positions of authority
Usage: military

1. to arrange in rows or lines
2. to give a position or grade to someone or something
3. to hold a particular position in a hierarchy

Examples

• The company has several ranks of management.
• Soldiers stood in neat ranks during the parade.
• She rose through the ranks to become CEO.
• The teacher ranks the students by test scores.
• This restaurant ranks among the best in the city.
• The general ranks higher than the colonel.
• They formed ranks and marched forward.
• The school ranks its applicants carefully.