rectification: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “rectification” mean?
The act of making something right.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of making something right; the process of correcting, amending, or adjusting something to meet a standard or fix an error.
In technical contexts, can refer to the conversion of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) in electronics, or the process of redistilling a liquid in chemistry to purify it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more frequent in formal/legal British English.
Connotations
Associated with justice, accuracy, and formal procedure.
Frequency
Low frequency in casual speech; high in specialised fields.
Grammar
How to Use “rectification” in a Sentence
rectification of [error/injustice]call for rectificationsubmit a request for rectificationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rectification” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company will rectify the billing error by Friday.
American English
- We need to rectify the mistake in the contract before signing.
adverb
British English
- The policy was rectifyingly amended.
American English
- The system functions rectifyingly to ensure accuracy.
adjective
British English
- The rectificatory measures were outlined in the report.
American English
- They implemented a rectifying procedure to prevent future errors.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The audit revealed discrepancies requiring immediate financial rectification.
Academic
The scholar argued for the rectification of a historical misinterpretation.
Everyday
After the mix-up with the orders, the manager promised a swift rectification.
Technical
The circuit design includes a stage for signal rectification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rectification”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rectification”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rectification”
- Misspelling as 'rectifiction' or 'reconciliation'. Using in overly casual contexts where 'correction' or 'fix' would suffice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a formal word primarily used in legal, financial, academic, and technical contexts.
'Rectification' is more formal and often implies an official, systematic, or judicial process to right a wrong, while 'correction' is more general.
No, the verb form is 'to rectify'. 'Rectification' is the noun form describing the action or process.
The key idea is making something right or just after an error or fault has been identified.
The act of making something right.
Rectification is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Rectification: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛktɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛktəfɪˈkeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set the record straight (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'RECTIFY' (to make right) + '-ATION' (the process of doing it). Like 'correct-i-fication'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ERROR IS A DEVIATION FROM A PATH; RECTIFICATION IS RETURNING TO THE CORRECT PATH.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'rectification' a specific technical term?