Overview of noun sanction

The noun sanction has 4 senses

• sanction, countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur -- (formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement")


• sanction -- (a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards)


• authority, authorization, authorisation, sanction -- (official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times")


• sanction -- (the act of final authorization; "it had the sanction of the church")

Overview of verb sanction

The verb sanction has 3 senses

• approve, O.K., okay, sanction -- (give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies")


• sanction -- (give authority or permission to)


• sanction -- (give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; "sanctify the marriage")