ratification

noun

rat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ratification (audio)
plural ratifications
Synonyms of ratificationnext
: 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
A treaty would require two-thirds approval in the Senate for ratification.Lois Ember
More 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

Examples of ratification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The ratification vote will open on April 16 and close on April 24. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026 The two teams announced the trade Monday, the first day of free agency following the ratification of a new, historic collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and its players union in March. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 The new writers' contract still requires ratification by union members, which could come later this month, the WGA said. Neda Ulaby, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026 Full details about the deal, which comes far ahead of the writers guild’s May 30 contract expiration, are typically released after the ratification. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ratification

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratification was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratification. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

ratification

noun
rat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion
ˌrat-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən
: the action of ratifying

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