ratify
verb
rat·i·fy
ˈra-tə-ˌfī 
ratified; ratifying
: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
ratify a treaty
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
Walking tours begin at the John Bell House, the historic site where 30 delegates met before leading Delaware to become the first state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Denver Art Museum Workers United ratified a historic bargaining agreement on Saturday, becoming the first museum workers in the State of Colorado to have a union contract.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Actors union approves new deal Television and movie actors voted to ratify a four-year contract with studios and streaming services.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
The court ruling led the grant to be rescinded, although Tesla shareholders ratified the plan a second time in 2024, and ultimately the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated the grant.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratify
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Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Denver Art Museum Workers United ratified a historic bargaining agreement on Saturday, becoming the first museum workers in the State of Colorado to have a union contract.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Actors union approves new deal Television and movie actors voted to ratify a four-year contract with studios and streaming services.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
The court ruling led the grant to be rescinded, although Tesla shareholders ratified the plan a second time in 2024, and ultimately the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated the grant.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ratify
Cite this Entry
“Ratify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratify. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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