ratify

verb

rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī 

ratified; ratifying

transitive verb

: to approve and sanction formally : confirm

ratify a treaty

ratifier

ˈra-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• accredit
• approbate
• approve
• authorize
• clear
• confirm
• finalize
• formalize
• homologate
• OK
• okay
• sanction
• warrant

Examples of ratify in a Sentence

A number of countries have refused to ratify the treaty.

Lincoln's home state of Illinois was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided for the abolition of slavery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Under Serbian law, the resignation must be ratified by the Parliament, which now has 30 days to either select a new government or call for a snap election. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Only three — Iran, Yemen and Libya — have not ratified or updated their portion. —Thais Lopez Vogel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025

Mbappe bought them out for around €15million (£12.7m; $15.7m at current rates), the deal formally ratified on September 9. —Jack Lang, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

Sachs, who is the Antonin Scalia Professor of Law at Harvard Law, poured cold water on the idea of Ogles’ resolution surviving a vote in Congress — much less among the states needed to ratify such an amendment. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ratifien, from Anglo-French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratificare, from Latin ratus determined, from past participle of reri to calculate — more at reason entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ratify

verb

rat·​i·​fy ˈrat-ə-ˌfī 

ratified; ratifying

: to give legal or official approval to

ratify a treaty

Legal Definition

ratify

transitive verb

rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī 

ratified; ratifying

: to make valid or effective

especially : to adopt or affirm (as the prior act or contract of an agent) by express or implied consent with the effect of original authorization

unable to rescind the contract because he ratified it by accepting the benefits

compare reform

ratification

ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

ratifier

ˈra-tə-ˌfī-ər 

noun