sanc·tion
(săngḱshən)
[Middle English, enactment of a law, from Old French, ecclesiastical decree, from Latin sānctiō, sānctiōn-, binding law, penal sanction, from sānctus, holy; see sanctify.]
noun
- Authoritative permission or approval that makes a course of action valid. See synonyms at permission
- Support or encouragement, as from public opinion or established custom.
- A consideration, influence, or principle that dictates an ethical choice.
- A law or decree.
- The penalty for noncompliance specified in a law or decree.
- A penalty, specified or in the form of moral pressure, that acts to ensure compliance or conformity.
- A coercive measure adopted usually by several nations acting together against a nation violating international law.
transitive verb: -tioned, -tion·ing, -tions.
- To give official authorization or approval to: “The president, we are told, has sanctioned greed at the cost of compassion” (David Rankin)
- To encourage or tolerate by indicating approval. See synonyms at approve
- To penalize, especially for violating a moral principle or international law.
derivatives
- sanćtion·a·ble
- adjective
