- to put right; correct; remedy
- to separate (a substance) from a mixture or refine (a substance) by fractional distillation
- to convert (alternating current) into direct current
- to determine the length of (a curve)
- to cause (an object) to assume a linear motion or characteristic
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
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.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
rectify /ˈrɛktɪˌfaɪ/ vb ( -fies, -fying, -fied) (transitive)
'rectify' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
bioengineering
- correct
- distil
- adjust
- amend
- better
- calibrate
- corrective
- counterbalance
- detect
- electron tube
- mend
- rectifiable
- rectification
- rectifier
- re-dress
- re-form
- transitive verb
- square