ratify
RAT-uh-fyeverbMeaning to formally approve an agreement or plan
Memory hook RAT-ify: every RAT’s paw says YES. The rats hold a meeting on their new cheese-sharing rules, and every paw goes up. When a group formally approves an agreement, they ratify it.
The club members voted to ratify the new rules.
In context The treaty was signed in the spring, but it did not take effect until each nation’s lawmakers had voted to ratify it that winter.
Similar approve, confirm, endorse, sanction
Opposite reject, veto, repeal
From Medieval Latin ratificare, “to confirm,” from ratus, “fixed, settled.”