Word
ratification
Phoneticsrat·i·fi·ca·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌɹætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
UK/ɹˌætɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the official way that a government or group signs a document to make it legal. It is the final step that makes an agreement or law active.
n. the formal validation of a proposed law, treaty, or agreement by a state or other authoritative body. It represents the final act of consent that makes the instrument legally binding.
Examples
“The treaty is waiting for ratification by the government.”
“The trade agreement cannot take effect until it receives formal ratification from all participating member states.”
“Despite initial opposition from the senate, the ratification of the constitutional amendment was eventually secured through a series of high-stakes political compromises.”
Examples
simple
“The treaty is waiting for ratification by the government.”
contextual
“The trade agreement cannot take effect until it receives formal ratification from all participating member states.”
complex
“Despite initial opposition from the senate, the ratification of the constitutional amendment was eventually secured through a series of high-stakes political compromises.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific instance or act of signing.
Real-World Examples
“Indonesia, however, was the last ASEAN member to ratify the agreement , depositing its ratification in 2015.” “Kiplimo ran 57:20 in Lisbon earlier this year but Kejelcha has now knocked 29 seconds off that time to regain the record, subject to official ratification.” Etymology
From Middle French ratification, from Medieval Latin ratificatio.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ratification