definition of
sanction

[1] #1 sanction v. [approve, O.K., okay] give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies". wn

[2] #2 sanction n. [countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur] formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement". wn

[3] #3 sanction n. a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards. wn

[4] #4 sanction v. give authority or permission to. wn

[5] #5 sanction n. [authority, authorization, authorisation] official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times". wn