Added 9 October 2026
sanction
/ˈsæŋkʃən/ noun
Latin root: sānctiō Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about sanction at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.
The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government.
-
A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.
The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.
- A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.
verb
- To ratify; to make valid.
-
To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
The school's inaction further sanctions this misbehavior.
- To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions.
Origin
From Middle French sanction, from Latin sānctiō.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)