The noun sanction, meaning "authoritative approval" or "a coercive measure," entered English in the 15th century, and originally referred to a formal decree or law, especially an ecclesiastical decree.

Many nations have imposed sanctions on the country because of its attacks on its own people. Trade/ economic sanctions will only be lifted (= stopped) when the aggressor nation withdraws its troops.

Sanction definition: authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.. See examples of SANCTION used in a sentence.

Definition of sanction noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [countable, usually plural] sanction (against somebody) an official order that limits trade, contact, etc. with a particular country, …

Sanctions are measures taken by countries to restrict trade and official contact with a country that has broken international law.

Such a case is represented by sanction, which can mean both "to allow, encourage" and "to punish so as to deter." Sanction comes from the Latin word sānctiō, meaning "a law or decree that is sacred or …

sanction definition: penalty imposed for breaking a law or rule. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, and related words. Discover expressions like "pragmatic sanction", "give …

something intended to ensure compliance with a law, such as a penalty for disobedience. Sanctions are in place to prevent such shady dealings. an action taken by one or more nations and designed to …

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

Sanction has two nearly opposite meanings: to sanction can be to approve of something, but it can also mean to punish, or speak harshly to. Likewise, a sanction can be a punishment or approval.