Rank Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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rank
[ræŋk ]
Definitions
position
A position in a hierarchy or scale of importance.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| rank |
Used to indicate a person's position or standing within a hierarchy or competitive setting. Often used in military, professional, or social settings.
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| position |
Usually refers to a specific place or role within an organization, team, or hierarchy. It can also indicate physical location.
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| level |
Commonly used to indicate a degree, stage, or position within various hierarchical structures or to describe the degree of difficulty or proficiency.
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| grade |
Most often used in academic contexts to describe a student's performance or to classify items into categories based on quality or size.
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Examples of usage
- She quickly rose through the ranks to become a manager.
- He holds the rank of captain in the army.
status
A person's official standing or position in a group or organization.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| rank |
Used to indicate the level or position of someone or something in a hierarchy, often in the context of the military, competitions, or social status.
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| status |
Used to describe the current situation or condition of someone or something, often referring to social or professional rank.
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| standing |
Often used to describe someone's reputation or status in a community or society, usually in a positive context.
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| grade |
Typically used in educational settings to denote a score or level of academic achievement. It can also be used for assessing the quality of something.
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Examples of usage
- She achieved the rank of professor at a young age.
- His rank in the company allows him certain privileges.
assign position
To assign a particular position or status to someone or something.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| rank |
Determine the position or level of something, often in a list. This can be in terms of hierarchy, importance, or quality. It can also have a negative connotation if implying a harsh or unfair assessment.
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| classify |
Arrange or group things into predefined classes or categories, often based on systematic rules or criteria. This term is often used in scientific or technical contexts.
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| grade |
Evaluate the quality, performance, or level of something, often assigning a letter or number to indicate performance. This is commonly used in educational settings but can also apply to product quality or standards.
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| categorize |
Sort or arrange items, ideas, or information into different groups or categories based on shared characteristics.
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Examples of usage
- The general decided to rank him as a lieutenant.
- The website ranks among the top 10 in the world.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Social Hierarchy
- Many organizations use ranks to clearly define roles, such as in the military where each rank corresponds to level of responsibility.
- In academia, ranks help identify positions like professor, associate professor, and assistant professor, influencing pay and status.
- Racial and economic disparities in society can cause individuals to perceive varying ranks based on wealth or background.
Pop Culture
- In many competitive games, ranking systems create excitement, as players aim to improve their status.
- 'Ranked choice voting' is a modern approach in elections that allows voters to rank their preferences instead of choosing just one.
- Movies often include a 'ranking' of characters based on power or skill, such as superheroes or competitors in sports.
Psychology
- Rankings can affect self-esteem; higher ranks may boost confidence, while lower ones might lead to discouragement.
- Social comparison theory states that people are motivated to evaluate themselves against others, often leading to a desire to improve their rank.
- Feeling 'ranked' in a social group can influence one's sense of belonging and identity.
Science
- In biology, organisms are ranked in a hierarchical classification system, which includes categories like kingdom, phylum, and genus.
- In statistical analysis, data can be ranked to identify trends and outliers, assisting in decision-making processes.
- In computer science, algorithms often use ranking to sort information quickly, such as search engine results.
Origin of 'rank'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old French 'renc', meaning 'to arrange in order'.
- Its roots can be traced to the Latin word 'rancus', which referred to being in a particular place or line.
- Originally, 'rank' was used to signify strong growth or lushness in plants, leading to its modern meanings of status.
The word 'rank' originated from the Old French word 'rank' meaning 'line, row, series'. It entered Middle English in the late 14th century with the meaning 'row of soldiers'. Over time, it evolved to also signify 'position in a hierarchy' and 'status'. The verb form of 'rank' appeared in the 16th century, indicating the action of assigning a position. Today, 'rank' is commonly used in various contexts to describe positions, statuses, and classifications.
See also: outrank, rankable, ranked, ranking, rankings, rankness.