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 of ratify

• approve
• confirm

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

The Guggenheim Museum union, which organized in 2021 and includes approximately 150 curators, conservators, educators, and public programmers, ratified its first contract in 2023, a two-and-a-half-year agreement. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Spain’s government on Friday lost two key votes to ratify a package of emergency measures aimed at tackling the nation’s housing affordability crisis, while protesters marched on the parliament demanding help for renters. — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Congress passed the amendment in 1919, and the states ratified it in 1920. — Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Parliament has 30 days to ratify the measures, and the government wants to expedite the process, calling for an extraordinary plenary session on housing for Friday. — Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for ratify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

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