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

• accredit
• approbate
• approve
• authorize
• clear
• confirm
• finalize
• formalize
• homologate
• OK
• okay
• sanction
• warrant

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 amendment was ratified in 1951, in the wake of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s four terms in office. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

But the invasion would be reserved, not ratified, as Trump and Vance and Putin are seeking. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025

Union members ratified the agreement in a vote held Friday and Saturday. —Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

The Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in the summer of 1920, ensuring women in every state the right to vote. —Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025

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
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

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