Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ratification
1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin ratificātiōn- (stem of ratificātiō ), equivalent to ratificāt ( us ) (past participle of ratificāre to ratify ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Ratification is the official way to confirm something, usually by vote. It is the formal validation of a proposed law. We almost never use the word ratification except to talk about process by which proposed laws, treaties, and agreements are officially recognized. In the United States, any amendment to the Constitution requires ratification by at least three quarters of the states, even after Congress has approved it.
Vocabulary lists containing ratification
New Year, New Words: Vocabulary for January
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Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation
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George Washington's Farewell Address (1796)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Only by skillfully uniting the two groups—made easier to achieve by President Woodrow Wilson’s refusal to compromise—was Lodge able to prevent ratification and mark himself as a leader of consequence.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Slavery in the U.S. wouldn’t be officially abolished until 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
Black voting rights proved critical to the ratification of the 14th and 15th amendments.
From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026
He used that position to block ratification External link of a trade deal European Union and U.S. negotiators reached last summer, pointing to the U.S.
From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026
For the amendment to be sent to the states for ratification, however, both houses of Congress had to approve it by a two-thirds majority.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
