ratification

noun

rat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce ratification (audio)
plural ratifications
: the act or process of ratifying something (such as a treaty or amendment) : formal confirmation or sanction
… the ratification of the 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery in the United States.Suzanne Travers
A treaty would require two-thirds approval in the Senate for ratification.Lois Ember
More than 100 countries signed the Rome Treaty, and it is expected that the court will come into existence within the next year or two, when it receives the necessary sixty treaty ratifications.Richard Falk

Examples of ratification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The introduction of the income tax in 1913, following the ratification of the 16th Amendment, drastically shifted the landscape of America’s fiscal infrastructure. Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 In the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789, which created lower federal courts following the ratification of the Constitution, Congress gave immediate power to the federal courts to issue habeas corpus relief. Andrea Seielstad, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025 Buy Now 02 of 10 'Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won The Vote, and Insisted On Equality For All' by Martha S. Jones The work of securing women’s suffrage didn’t end with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Paul's fears would be well-founded: The Equal Rights Amendment was given a time limit: Seven years, originally, from congressional passage to ratification by the requisite three-quarters of states. Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ratification

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratification was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Ratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratification. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

ratification

noun
rat·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion
ˌrat-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən
: the action of ratifying

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