decertify

1 of 2

verb

de·​cer·​ti·​fy (ˌ)dē-ˈsər-tə-ˌfī 

decertified; decertifying; decertifies

transitive verb

: to withdraw or revoke the certification of

decertification

(ˌ)dē-ˌsər-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun

decertification

2 of 2

noun

de·​cer·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌsər-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

: the act or process of decertifying

Examples of decertify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the early days of the work stoppage, players voted to decertify their union in a bid to prevent owners from imposing a lockout. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026

And then also, the state board has voted to decertify him as a police officer, as a law enforcement officer in Alabama. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026

Employees at the Wells Fargo branch in Casper, Wyoming, also filed a petition last week to decertify the union. — Chase Jordan april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026

Key accomplishments included a bill that created the first statewide process to decertify police officers who commit wrongdoing. — Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

de- + certification

First Known Use

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decertify

• acidify
• alveoli
• antinomy
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify

Legal Definition

decertify

transitive verb

de·​cer·​ti·​fy dē-ˈsər-tə-ˌfī 

decertified; decertifying

: to withdraw or revoke the certification of

decertified the class action suit

especially : to withdraw the certification of (a labor union) as a collective bargaining agent

petitions to decertify the union

Note: The National Labor Relations Board will decertify a union after an election in which the majority of members do not support the union or after participation in an illegal strike.

decertification

dē-ˌsər-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

noun