- sanction
- sanc|tion1 [ˈsæŋkʃən] n[Date: 1400-1500; : Old French; Origin: Latin sanctio, from sancire; SAINT]1.) sanctions [plural]official orders or laws stopping trade, communication etc with another country, as a way of forcing its leaders to make political changessanctions against▪ US sanctions against Cuba▪ a resolution to impose sanctions (=start using sanctions) on North Korea▪ the threat of trade sanctions▪ The UN security council may impose economic sanctions .▪ Any talk about lifting sanctions (=ending them) is premature.2.) [U] formalofficial permission, approval, or acceptance▪ Apparently, the aide had acted without White House sanction.3.) formala form of punishment that can be used if someone disobeys a rule or law▪ the harshest possible sanction which could be imposedsanction 2sanction2 v [T] formal1.) to officially accept or allow something= ↑approve▪ The church refused to sanction the king's second marriage.2.) be sanctioned by sthto be made acceptable by something▪ a barbaric custom, but one sanctioned by long usage
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.