Search results for 'sanction':

sanction noun 1 official permission or authority. 2 the act of giving permission or authority. 3 aid; support. 4 (especially sanctions) politics an economic or military measure taken by one nation against another as a means of coercion • trade sanctions. 5 law a means of encouraging adherence to a social custom, eg a penalty for non-observance or reward for observance of a law or treaty. 6 any penalty attached to an offence. 7 ethics a motive or rationale for observance of and obedience to any moral or religious law. verb (sanctioned, sanctioning) 1 to authorize or confirm formally. 2 to countenance or permit.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c: from Latin sanctio, sanctionis, from sancire, sanctum to decree.