Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sanction
Sanc′tion
,Noun.
[L.
sanctio
, from sancire
, sanctum
to render sacred or inviolable, to fix unalterably: cf. F. sanction
. See Saint
.] 1.
Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by giving authority to it; confirmation; approbation.
The strictest professors of reason have added the
sanction
of their testimony. I. Watts.
2.
Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another;
as, legal
. sanctions
Syn. – Ratification; authorization; authority; countenance; support.
Sanc′tion
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Sanctioned
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sanctioning
.] To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.
Would have counseled, or even
sanctioned
, such perilous experiments. De Quincey.
Syn. – To ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sanction
SANC'TION
,Noun.
1.
Ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body. A treaty is not valid without the sanction of the president and senate.2.
Authority; confirmation derived from testimony, character, influence or custom.The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony.
3.
A law or decree. [Improper.]SANC'TION
,Verb.
T.
Definition 2025
sanction
sanction
English
Noun
sanction (plural sanctions)
- An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.
- A penalty, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.
- A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying the above.
Translations
approval, by an authority, that makes something valid
|
penalty, coercive measure
stipulation specifying the above
Verb
sanction (third-person singular simple present sanctions, present participle sanctioning, simple past and past participle sanctioned)
- (transitive) To ratify; to make valid.
- (transitive) To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
- 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.21:
- Many of the most earnest Protestants were business men, to whom lending money at interest was essential. Consequently first Calvin, and then other Protestant divines, sanctioned interest.
- 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.21:
- (transitive) To penalize (a State etc.) with sanctions.
Translations
to give authorization or approval to
|
to penalize a state, especially for violating international law
|