1. official permission or approval for an action
2. a penalty or punishment imposed to enforce compliance with a law or rule
3. economic or political measures taken against a country to pressure it to change its policies

1. to give official permission or approval to
2. to impose a penalty on

Examples

• The committee gave its sanction to the new policy.
• The judge imposed severe sanctions on the company for violating environmental laws.
• The United Nations placed economic sanctions on the country.
• The school board sanctioned the use of new textbooks.
• The league sanctioned the player for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Without official sanction, the event cannot proceed.
• Trade sanctions were lifted after the peace agreement.
• The university sanctioned the fraternity for hazing violations.