ratify

verb

rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying

transitive verb

: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
ratify a treaty
ratifier noun

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 City councils must approve them and present them to voters to be ratified, which is typically an innocuous process that residents don't give much attention. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 Deals with outside free agents can not be ratified until Wednesday at 1 p.m. In recent years, the 49ers made quick strikes once the negotiating window opened, swooping in for cornerback Charvarius Ward in 2022 and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave last year. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Section 3 was ratified in 1869, in the wake of the Civil War, and was originally aimed at Confederates. Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 The current versions of the Basic and Area Standards Agreements were ratified in November 2021 by a thin margin after a contentious negotiation period that nearly resulted in a strike. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 Hungary’s parliament voted Monday to ratify Sweden’s bid to join NATO, ending months of delays and diplomatic wrangling following the Scandinavian country's security policy shift in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 There are many different ways to quantify the dramatic new state of play in Wisconsin, assuming these maps, now ratified by a Republican legislature and Democratic governor, survive any future court fights. Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024 On Friday, the Republican National Committee is meeting in Texas and is expected to ratify Mr. Trump’s new pick to lead the party, Michael Whatley. Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Over the next few months, IATSE and the Teamsters and Basic Crafts will then bargain their separate agreements, with the hope of having the deals ratified by the deadline. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ratify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratify was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ratify

Cite this Entry

“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ratify

verb
rat·​i·​fy ˈrat-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
ratified; ratifying
: to give legal or official approval to
ratify a treaty

Legal Definition

ratify

transitive verb
rat·​i·​fy ˈra-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce ratify (audio)
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 noun
ratifier noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ratify

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