noun

ratification

rat-ih-fih-KAY-shun/ˌrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/

Formal approval that makes an agreement or decision official.

The new contract requires ratification by a majority of union members.

A compact two-stage sequence distinguishes reaching an agreement from the subsequent formal approval that makes it official: two representatives shake hands over an unsealed agreement, then a council approves that same document while its chair applies an embossed seal.

Etymology

ratLatinreckon, think

+ificLatinmake

+ationLatinact or process

The reckoning root produced Latin ratus, meaning “determined,” “approved,” or “valid.” Combined with “make” and an action ending, it expresses the act of making something valid through authoritative approval.

In context

ThinkTech Hawaii15:50

they have to do a ratification officially at the next you know regular board meeting to sort of endorse that prior decision

Meetings Meetings Meetings: Rules, Requirements & Risks (Condo Insider)

More examples

The treaty cannot take effect without ratification.
The board meets Friday to vote on ratification of the agreement.
Three countries have submitted their ratifications of the treaty.

Forms

ratification · ratifications

ratify verb — Give formal approval to an agreement.

Similar words

approval: Broader permission or acceptance, not necessarily a final formal act.
confirmation: Verification or reaffirmation, which need not make an agreement official.
endorsement: Expressed support, often without authority to make something official.