■ noun
1》 a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.
↘( ~s ) measures taken by a state to coerce another to conform to an international agreement or norms of conduct.
↘ Ethics a consideration operating to enforce obedience to any rule of conduct.
2》 official permission or approval for an action.
↘official confirmation or ratification of a law.
↘ Law, historical a law or decree, especially an ecclesiastical one.
■ verb
1》 give official ~ for.
2》 impose a ~ or penalty on.
Derivatives
~able adjective
Origin
ME: from Fr., from L. sanctio(n-) , from sancire 'ratify'.