ratified

Everyday

1. (law, formal) To ratify a treaty, agreement or law is to make it official by voting or signing to approve it. tree →
2. Ratified describes something that has been approved in this way. tree →

In the lessons

In history and citizenship lessons, countries ratify treaties like the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; parliaments ratify agreements. Phrases: ratified the treaty, ratified by parliament.

Examples

• The treaty was ratified by both countries. tree →
• Almost every country has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. tree →
• The school council ratified the new rules. tree →
• The changes must be ratified before they count. tree →
• Parliament ratified the agreement. tree →
• Once ratified, the treaty became law. tree →

Note

Formal. Past form: ratified (y → ied). Signing an agreement and ratifying it can be different steps.