Definition of sanction Sanction

/sæˈŋkʃʌn/ - [sangkshun] - sanc•tion

We found 20 definitions of sanction from 6 different sources.

What does sanction mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: sanctions
sanction - formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement"
		countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur
		commendation, approval a message expressing a favorable opinion; "words of approval seldom passed his lips"
		o.k., okay, okeh, okey, ok an endorsement; "they gave us the O.K. to go ahead"
		visa an endorsement made in a passport that allows the bearer to enter the country issuing it
sanction - the act of final authorization; "it had the sanction of the church"
		empowerment, authorisation, authorization the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant
		benefit of clergy sanction by a religious rite; "they are living together without benefit of clergy"
		name by the sanction or authority of; "halt in the name of the law"
sanction - a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
		social control control exerted (actively or passively) by group action
sanction - official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times"
		authority, authorization, authorisation
		permission approval to do something; "he asked permission to leave"
Verb sanctions, sanctioning, sanctioned
sanction - give authority or permission to
		authorise, authorize, empower grant authorization or clearance for; "Clear the manuscript for publication"; "The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography"
sanction - give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; "sanctify the marriage"
		o.k., okay, approve, sanction judge to be right or commendable; think well of
sanction - give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies"
		approve, O.K., okay
		disapprove, reject consider bad or wrong
		authorise, authorize, clear, pass grant authorization or clearance for; "Clear the manuscript for publication"; "The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography"
		sanction give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; "sanctify the marriage"
		visa approve officially; "The list of speakers must be visaed"
		plump for, plunk for, endorse, indorse, back, support sign as evidence of legal transfer; "endorse cheques"
		confirm make more firm; "Confirm thy soul in self-control!"

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Wiktionary

sanction (Noun)
An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.
sanction (Noun)
A penalty, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.
sanction (Noun)
A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying the above.
sanction (Verb)
To ratify; to make valid.
sanction (Verb)
To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
sanction (Verb)
To penalize a State etc. with sanctions.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

sanction (n.)
Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by giving authority to it; confirmation; approbation.
sanction (n.)
Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions.
sanction (v. t.)
To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

sanction
A measure, including removal of diplomatic ties, ban on trade, or military intervention, adopted by a country, or group of countries, against another country for political reasons.
sanction
The approval, by some authority, that makes something valid.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

sanction
sangk′shun, n. act of ratifying, or giving authority to: confirmation: support: a decree, a law.—v.t. to give validity to: to authorise: to countenance.—adjs. Sanc′tionable; Sanc′tionary. [Fr.,—L. sanctīre.]