/ ˈsæŋkʃn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C , usually pl. ] sanction (against sb) an official order that limits trade, contact, etc. with a particular country, in order to make it do sth, such as obeying international law :
Trade sanctions were imposed against any country that refused to sign the agreement.
The economic sanctions have been lifted.
2.
[ U ] ( formal ) official permission or approval for an action or a change
SYN authorization :
These changes will require the sanction of the court.
3.
[ C ] sanction (against sth) a course of action that can be used, if necessary, to make people obey a law or behave in a particular way
SYN penalty :
The ultimate sanction will be the closure of the restaurant.
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
( formal ) to give permission for sth to take place :
The government refused to sanction a further cut in interest rates.
2.
( technical ) to punish sb/sth; to impose a sanction (1) on sth
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WORD 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 cent.