The noun sanction, meaning "authoritative approval" or "a coercive measure," entered English in the 15th century, and originally referred to a formal decree or law, especially an ecclesiastical decree.

SANCTION definition: 1. an official order, such as the stopping of trade, that is taken against a country in order to…. Learn more.

A sanction is a severe course of action which is intended to make people obey instructions, customs, or laws. As an ultimate sanction, they can sell their shares. If a country or an authority sanctions another country or a person for doing something, it declares that the country or person is guilty of doing it and imposes sanctions on them.

SANCTION meaning: 1 : 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. usually plural often + against; 2 : official permission or approval

Authoritative permission or approval that makes a course of action valid. See Synonyms at permission. 2. Support or encouragement, as from public opinion or established custom. 3. A consideration, influence, or principle that dictates an ethical choice. 4. a. The penalty for noncompliance with a law or legal order. b.

Sanction is perhaps most commonly used as a plural noun to refer to penalties levied by nations against other nations. It is also commonly used as a verb in the context of officially approving …

SANCTION meaning: 1. a punishment for not obeying a rule or a law: 2. official approval or permission 3. to formally…. Learn more.

sanction - A penalty or forceful action taken as a result of not adhering to a law, rule, or command

Find the legal definition of SANCTION from Black's Law Dictionary, 2nd Edition. In the original sense of the word, a “sanction” is a penalty or punishment provided as a means of enforcing obedience to a law.

Sanction has two nearly opposite meanings: to sanction can be to approve of something, but it can also mean to punish, or speak harshly to. Likewise, a sanction can be a punishment or approval. Very confusing — the person who invented this word should be publicly sanctioned!