ratify
/ˈrætɪfaɪ/
to formally approve or confirm
The Senate voted to ratify the new trade agreement.
The Senate formally approved the new trade agreement.
Law
formal
to formally approve or confirm a treaty, agreement, or decision
The president signed the bill, but it still needs to be ratified by Congress.
The president approved the bill, but it still needs formal confirmation by Congress.
The treaty was ratified by all member states.
The treaty was formally approved by all member states.
Often used in legal and diplomatic contexts.
Collocations
ratify a treatyformally approve a treatyratify an agreementformally confirm an agreement
Pro Tip
Formal Usage
Use 'ratify' in formal contexts, such as legal or diplomatic settings.
Word Origin
From Latin 'ratificare', meaning 'to make firm' or 'to strengthen'.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in formal contexts, especially in law and diplomacy.
Word Breakdown
rat
to approve or confirm
root-ify
to make or cause to be
suffixEnglish Dictionary