I. ˈsaŋ(k)-shən noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin sanction-, sanctio, from sancire to make holy — more at sacred
Date: 15th century
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
II. transitive verb
( sanc·tioned ; sanc·tion·ing -sh(ə-)niŋ)
Date: 1778
1. : to make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure (as ratification)
2. : to give effective or authoritative approval or consent to
Synonyms: see approve
• sanc·tion·able -sh(ə-)nə-bəl adjective