Rank

Welcome to the Voice of America’s News Words, where we explain words you hear in the news.

This News word sometimes carries a military meaning.

Listen.

Rank.

She was the first African-American woman to achieve three-star rank in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as being the first woman to achieve the rank of admiral in the Navy.

She also was the first African-American woman to command a naval ship.

Rank can be used several ways.

It is a title, or position, in the military, or any organization.

Some stories talk about how something is ranked.

They mean how something is rated, or how it compares to others in a group.

Now, the next time you hear the word, rank, you will know what this News Word means.