sanction

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsaŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • 1a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule: a range of sanctions aimed at deterring insider abuse
  • (sanctions) measures taken by a state to coerce another to conform to an international agreement or norms of conduct, typically in the form of restrictions on trade or official sporting participation: ministers agreed last week to lift economic sanctions against Serbia
  • Philosophy a consideration operating to enforce obedience to any rule of conduct.
  • 2 [mass noun] official permission or approval for an action: he appealed to the bishop for his sanction
  • official confirmation or ratification of a law.
  • [count noun] Law, historical a law or decree, especially an ecclesiastical decree.

verb

[with object]
  • 1give official permission or approval for (an action): the scheme was sanctioned by the court
  • 2impose a sanction or penalty on: foreigners in France illegally should be sent home, their employers sanctioned and border controls tightened up

Derivatives

sanctionable

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (as a noun denoting an ecclesiastical decree): from French, from Latin sanctio(n-), from sancire 'ratify'. The verb dates from the late 18th century