sanction

[ sangk-shuhn ]

noun

1. authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.

   Synonyms: authorization

   Antonyms: prohibition, interdiction

2. something that serves to support an action, condition, etc.
3. something that gives binding force, as to an oath, rule of conduct, etc.
4. Law.
   1. a provision of a law enacting a penalty for disobedience or a reward for obedience.
   2. the penalty or reward.
5. International Law. action by one or more states toward another state calculated to force it to comply with legal obligations.

verb (used with object)

1. to authorize, approve, or allow:

   an expression now sanctioned by educated usage.

   Synonyms: permit

   Antonyms: deny

2. to ratify or confirm:

   to sanction a law.

3. to impose a sanction on; penalize, especially by way of discipline.

sanction

/ ˈsæŋkʃən /

noun

1. final permission; authorization
2. aid or encouragement
3. something, such as an ethical principle, that imparts binding force to a rule, oath, etc
4. the penalty laid down in a law for contravention of its provisions
5. often plural a coercive measure, esp one taken by one or more states against another guilty of violating international law

verb

1. to give authority to; permit
2. to make authorized; confirm

Derived Forms

• ˈsanctioner, noun
• ˈsanctionless, adjective
• ˈsanctionable, adjective

Other Words From

• sanc·tion·a·ble adjective
• sanc·tion·a·tive adjective
• sanc·tion·er noun
• sanc·tion·less adjective
• non·sanc·tion noun
• re·sanc·tion verb (used with object)
• su·per·sanc·tion verb (used with object) noun
• un·sanc·tion·a·ble adjective
• un·sanc·tion·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanction¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin sānctiōn- (stem of sānctiō ), equivalent to sānct(us) (past participle of sancīre “to prescribe by law”) + -iōn- noun suffix; -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanction¹

C16: from Latin sanctiō the establishment of an inviolable decree, from sancīre to decree

Example Sentences

Cameron has already begun securing support in Parliament for a vote that would sanction attacks in the coming days.

From The Daily Beast

“Russia is bigger than all of our previous sanction targets put together,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

As a result of these findings, Brown University is imposing the following sanction: Suspension until Fall 2014.

From The Daily Beast

If the U.S. moves to sanction Putin and his pals next week, Moscow will definitely strike back.

From The Daily Beast

Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will mark up legislation to give aid to Ukraine and sanction Russia.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, this symbol is no less appropriate than the one just considered, and has equally the sanction of Scripture.

From Project Gutenberg

He was desired by the speaker to withdraw, as no affirmation could be made without the sanction of the house.

From Project Gutenberg

They became engaged, and Gibbon implored her to marry him without waiting for the sanction of his father.

From Project Gutenberg

Play-writers heralded it on the stage, bestowing upon it the passport of literary sanction.

From Project Gutenberg

In the following year it gave its sanction to a similar proposal by the Bradford Board of Guardians.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ban
• boycott
• injunction
• penalty
• sentence