sanction

Definitions of sanction in various dictionaries:

noun - formal and explicit approval

noun - a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards

noun - official permission or approval

noun - the act of final authorization

verb - give sanction to

verb - give authority or permission to

verb - give religious sanction to, such as through on oath

Authoritative permission or approval that makes a course of action valid.

Support or encouragement, as from public opinion or established custom.

A consideration, an influence, or a 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.

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.

SANCTION - A sanction may be either a permission or a restriction, depending upon context, as the word is an auto-antonym. Examples of sanctions include: Involv...