ratify
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction.
to ratify a constitutional amendment.
- Synonyms:
- approve, corroborate
- Antonyms:
- disapprove, veto
-
to confirm (something done or arranged by an agent or by representatives) by such action.
verb
Other Word Forms
- nonratifying adjective
- ratifiable adjective
- ratification noun
- ratifier noun
Etymology
Origin of ratify
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English ratifien, from Middle French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratificāre, equivalent to Latin rat(us) “calculated” ( rate 1 ) + -ificāre -ify
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.
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, begins: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
The European Union will provisionally apply its trade agreement with South American countries as lawmakers in the bloc are still waiting to ratify the accord.
Although Iran has never ratified the convention, "the transit passage regime is widely regarded as part of customary international law," Marco Roscini, international law professor at Westminster Law School, told AFP.
From Barron's
Unless the bill moves forward soon, the Senate and House of Representatives may run out of time to ratify the bill before political campaigning intensifies ahead of the November midterms.
From Barron's
The EU Parliament will still need to consent to the deal, and Australia will also need to formally ratify the agreement.
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.
