WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
rec•ti•fi•ca•tion
(rek′tə fi kā′shən),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- Astrologythe act of rectifying, or the fact of being rectified.
- Astrologythe method by which the known times of major events in one's life are used to determine an unknown time of birth.
- Late Latin rectificātiōn-, stem of rectificātiō. See rectify, -fication
- Middle French
- 1425–75; late Middle English;
rec•ti•fy /ˈrɛktəˌfaɪ/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -fied, -fy•ing.
rec•ti•fi•ca•tion /ˌrɛktəfɪˈkeɪʃən/USA pronunciation n. [uncountable]See -rect-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to make, put, or set right; correct:to rectify an error.
rec•ti•fi•ca•tion /ˌrɛktəfɪˈkeɪʃən/USA pronunciation n. [uncountable]See -rect-.
rec•ti•fy
(rek′tə fī′),USA pronunciation v.t., -fied, -fy•ing.
- to make, put, or set right;
remedy;
correct:He sent them a check to rectify his account. - to put right by adjustment or calculation, as an instrument or a course at sea.
- Chemistryto purify (esp. a spirit or liquor) by repeated distillation.
- Electricityto change (an alternating current) into a direct current.
- Mathematicsto determine the length of (a curve).
- Astronomy, Geography, Place Namesto adjust (a globe) for the solution of any proposed problem.
- Medieval Latin rēctificāre, equivalent. to Latin rēct(us) right + -ificāre -ify
- Middle French rectifier
- Middle English rectifien 1350–1400
- 1. mend, emend, amend. 2. adjust, regulate, straighten.
- 1. worsen, muddle.
'rectification' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):