Dictionary definition · sanction
noun
- formal and explicit approval"a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement"
- a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
- official permission or approval"authority for the program was renewed several times"
- the act of final authorization"it had the sanction of the church"
verb
- give sanction to"I approve of his educational policies"
- give authority or permission to
- give religious sanction to, such as through an oath"sanctify the marriage"
Similar words
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).