Noun

1. This is a very unusual word with two contradictory meanings. To "sanction" can mean to ratify or to approve but it can also mean to punish. The "sanction" of a crime refers to the actual punishment, usually expressed as a fine or jail term.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsŋkʃən/, SAMPA: /"s{NkS@n/
• {{http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/En-us-sanction.ogg|Audio (US)

Noun

sanction (plural sanctions)

1. An approval, by an authority, that makes something valid.
2. A penalty, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.
3. A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying the above.

Verb

to sanction (third-person singular simple present sanctions, present participle sanctioning, simple past and past participle sanctioned)

1. (transitive) To give authorization or approval to something; to ratify.
2. (transitive) To penalize a state, especially for violating international law.

Anagrams

• Alphagram: acinnost
• canonist
• contains

This entry is from Wiktionary - Dictionary and thesaurus. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.