First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1sanction
noun sanc·tion \ˈsaŋ(k)-shən\
: an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc.
: official permission or approval
Full Definition of SANCTION
1
: a formal decree; especially : an ecclesiastical decree
2
a obsolete : a solemn agreement : oath b : something that makes an oath binding
3
: the detriment, loss of reward, or coercive intervention annexed to a violation of a law as a means of enforcing the law
4
a : a consideration, principle, or influence (as of conscience) that impels to moral action or determines moral judgment b : a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards c : explicit or official approval, permission, or ratification : approbation
5
: an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication
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Origin of SANCTION
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin sanction-, sanctio, from sancire to make holy — more at sacred
Related to SANCTION
- Synonyms
- allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, license (or licence), permission, sufferance, warrant
- Antonyms
- interdiction, prohibition, proscription
2sanction
transitive verb
: to officially accept or allow (something)
sanc·tionedsanc·tion·ing \-sh(ə-)niŋ\
Full Definition of SANCTION
1
: to make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure (as ratification)
2
: to give effective or authoritative approval or consent to
— sanc·tion·able \-sh(ə-)nə-bəl\ adjective
First Known Use of SANCTION
1778
Related to SANCTION
Synonym Discussion of SANCTION
approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of. approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration <the parents approve of the marriage>. endorse suggests an explicit statement of support <publicly endorsed her for Senator>. sanction implies both approval and authorization <the President sanctioned covert operations>. accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards <the board voted to accredit the college> <must be certified to teach>.
Other Legal Terms
SANCTIONED Defined for Kids
1sanction
noun sanc·tion \ˈsaŋk-shən\
Definition of SANCTION for Kids
1
: official approval or permission <The soldiers' conduct did not have the king's sanction.>
2
: an action (as the ending of financial aid) taken by one or more nations to make another nation comply with a law or rule
2sanction
verb
sanc·tionedsanc·tion·ing
Definition of SANCTION for Kids
: to officially accept or allow <The coaches sanctioned the new rule.>
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