ratification
noun
rat·i·fi·ca·tion
ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 
plural ratifications
: the act or process of ratifying something (such as a treaty or amendment) : formal confirmation or sanction
… the ratification of the 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery in the United States.—
Suzanne Travers
Suzanne TraversA treaty would require two-thirds approval in the Senate for ratification.—Lois Ember
Lois EmberMore than 100 countries signed the Rome Treaty, and it is expected that the court will come into existence within the next year or two, when it receives the necessary sixty treaty ratifications.—Richard Falk
Richard FalkExamples of ratification in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1880, 12 years after the ratification of the 14th Amendment – which guarantees equal protection of the law – the Supreme Court struck down that West Virginia law.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 8 May 2026
The league and the NFL Referees Association have made enough progress in their negotiations in recent weeks that the union is expected to vote on the ratification of a new contract, according to sources and reports.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Officials from Germany and Italy would like to see the deal move forward swiftly to ratification without changes, while Spain and France are reportedly backing the Parliamentary approach.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Finally, it will be evaluated by members in a ratification vote that has yet to be scheduled.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratification
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 8 May 2026
The league and the NFL Referees Association have made enough progress in their negotiations in recent weeks that the union is expected to vote on the ratification of a new contract, according to sources and reports.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Officials from Germany and Italy would like to see the deal move forward swiftly to ratification without changes, while Spain and France are reportedly backing the Parliamentary approach.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Finally, it will be evaluated by members in a ratification vote that has yet to be scheduled.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratification
Cite this Entry
“Ratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratification. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
