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Definition of sanction
1 : a formal decree; especially : an ecclesiastical decree
2a obsolete : a solemn agreement : oathb : something that makes an oath binding
3 : the detriment, loss of reward, or coercive intervention annexed to a violation of a law as a means of enforcing the law
4a : a consideration, principle, or influence (as of conscience) that impels to moral action or determines moral judgmentb : a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standardsc : explicit or official approval, permission, or ratification : approbation
5 : an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication
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Examples of sanction in a Sentence
The country acted without the sanction of the other nations.
Their policy has legal sanction.
Recent Examples of sanction from the Web
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There is some talk of imposing sanctions on Poland.
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That appeared to be a reference to Veselnitskaya's previous statement that the meeting with Trump Jr. focused on U.S.-Russian adoption policies and a U.S. sanctions law.
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The U.S. Treasury Department slapped new sanctions on Iran related to its ballistic-missile program, a day after President Trump certified that the Islamic republic was in compliance with the nuclear deal signed in 2015.
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Current sanctions already block oil and gas companies from doing deals in Russia.
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In the coming days and weeks, there could be more sanctions on Chinese businesses and individuals who help North Korea's illicit activities.
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The firm thereby abetted in genocide and circumvented American sanctions on Sudan.
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The US should properly rebuke North Korea, but all sanctions are already in place against that communist fiasco and their idiot dictator.
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For decades, a series of U.S. administrations have tried and failed to stop the North’s nuclear weapons program, using diplomacy, containment, and sanctions.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sanction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of sanction
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin sanction-, sanctio, from sancire to make holy — more at sacred
sanction
Definition of sanction
sanctioned
;sanctioning
play \-sh(ə-)niŋ\transitive verb
1 : to make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure (such as ratification)
2 : to give effective or authoritative approval or consent to … such characters … look, talk, and act in ways sanctioned by society and novelistic tradition … — Lawrence Chua
3a : to attach a sanction or penalty to the violation of (a right, obligation, or command) … the status, procedures, rights, and duties of members are carefully defined by rules that are sanctioned by fines should they be contravened by members. — Malcolm Ruelb : to impose a sanction or penalty upon … a Long Island brokerage firm that, at the time, had serious Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC fraud charges pending against it and has since been heavily fined and sanctioned. — Molly Ivins
Examples of sanction in a Sentence
The government has sanctioned the use of force.
His actions were not sanctioned by his superiors.
Recent Examples of sanction from the Web
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Level 3 autonomy by which Audi becomes the first automaker to sanction hands-free, Facebook-’til-your-face-melts driving.
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Meanwhile photos of Lopez’s sparkly flower tights on the set of Kathy Lee and Hoda were very much sanctioned:
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But Beauty and the Beast, which premieres tonight in Los Angeles, has the first officially sanctioned one, according to its director Bill Condon.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sanction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
sanction Has Legal Origins
Sanction can also be a noun meaning "authoritative approval" or "a coercive measure." The noun entered English first, in the 15th century, and originally referred to a formal decree, especially an ecclesiastical decree. (The Latin sancire, meaning "to make holy," is an ancestor.) By the end of the 17th century, the meaning of the noun "sanction" had extended to refer to both a means of enforcing a law (a sense that in the 20th century we began using especially for economic penalties against nations violating international law) and the process of formally approving or ratifying a law. When the verb "sanction" appeared in the 18th century, it had to do with ratifying laws as well. Soon it had also acquired an additional, looser sense: "to approve."
First Known Use of sanction
1778
Synonym Discussion of sanction
Other Legal Terms
SANCTION Defined for English Language Learners
sanction
playDefinition of sanction for English Language Learners
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: an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc.
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: official permission or approval
sanction
Definition of sanction for English Language Learners
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: to officially accept or allow (something)
SANCTION Defined for Kids
Definition of sanction for Students
1 : official approval or permission The soldiers' conduct did not have the king's sanction.
2 : an action (as the ending of financial aid) taken by one or more nations to make another nation comply with a law or rule
Definition of sanction for Students
sanctioned
;sanctioning
: to officially accept or allow The coaches sanctioned the new rule.
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of sanction
1 : a punitive or coercive measure or action that results from failure to comply with a law, rule, or order a sanction for contempt
2 : explicit or official approval
3 : an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication
sanction
Legal Definition of sanction
1 : to give official approval or consent to : ratify
2 : to impose a sanction on sanctioned the lawyer for professional misconduct
Learn More about sanction
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sanction Spanish Central: Translation of sanction Nglish: Translation of sanction for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sanction for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sanction
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