ratify

verb rat·i·fy \ˈra-tə-ˌfī\

: to make (a treaty, agreement, etc.) official by signing it or voting for it

rat·i·fiedrat·i·fy·ing

Full Definition of RATIFY

transitive verb

: to approve and sanction formally : confirm <ratify a treaty>

— rat·i·fi·ca·tion \ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

— rat·i·fi·er \ˈra-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun

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Origin of RATIFY

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RATIFY

Synonyms: accredit, approbate, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK (or okay), approve, sanction, warrant

Antonyms: decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

RATIFY Defined for Kids

ratify

verb rat·i·fy \ˈra-tə-fī\

rat·i·fiedrat·i·fy·ing

Definition of RATIFY for Kids

: to give legal approval to (as by a vote)

Learn More About RATIFY

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "ratify"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "ratify"

Nglish: Translation of "ratify" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "ratify" for Arabic speakers

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