rat ‧ i ‧ fy /ˈrætəfaɪ, ˈrætɪfaɪ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle ratified , present participle ratifying , third person singular ratifies ) [transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: French ; Origin: ratifier , from Medieval Latin ratificare , from Latin ratus ; ⇨ ↑ rate 1 ]
to make a written agreement official by signing it
ratify a treaty/an agreement/a decision etc
We hope that the republics will be willing to ratify the treaty.
—ratification /ˌrætəfəˈkeɪʃ ə n, ˌrætɪfəˈkeɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable] :
an attempt to delay ratification of the treaty
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THESAURUS
▪ approve to officially accept a plan, proposal etc:
The Medical Research Council has approved the use of a new drug for breast cancer.
▪ pass to approve a law or proposal, especially by voting:
Many anti-smoking laws have been passed.
▪ ratify to make a written agreement official by signing it:
The treaty was ratified by the Senate in 1988.
▪ rubber-stamp to approve something without really thinking about it – used to show disapproval:
Parliament merely rubber-stamped the president’s decisions.