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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Constitution was last amended in 1992 with the ratification of the 27th Amendment. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 Prior to the ratification of the 20th Amendment, Inauguration Day was held in March. Michael Bartiromo, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025 Inaugurations were held March 4 until 1933, when the ratification of the 20th Amendment changed the date to Jan. 20. Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 17 Jan. 2025 But it hasn't been added to the Constitution because a 1982 ratification deadline was missed. Mike Allen, Axios, 17 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near ratification

Cite this Entry

“Ratification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratification. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

ratification

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