Sanction Meaning

UK /ˈsaŋkʃən/
US /ˈsæŋkʃən/
Word Definition
sanction meaning

Sanction Definition & Usage

noun

Sanction as approval or permission refers to the official endorsement or authorization of an action, decision, or event.

Examples

  • "The project received sanction from the government after several rounds of review."
  • "The new policy was given official sanction by the board of directors."
  • "He sought sanction from the committee before proceeding with the research."
  • "The university's new curriculum was implemented with the sanction of the accrediting body."
  • "The teacher granted sanction for the students to hold a protest on campus."
noun

Sanction as punishment or restriction refers to measures taken to enforce compliance with laws or regulations, often by governments or organizations.

Examples

  • "The country imposed sanctions on the nation for violating international treaties."
  • "The company faced heavy sanctions after violating environmental laws."
  • "Financial sanctions were placed on the individual after the fraud was uncovered."
  • "The sports team was hit with sanctions for breaching the league's code of conduct."
  • "Economic sanctions are often used as a tool in international diplomacy to pressure governments."
verb

To sanction something means to formally approve, authorize, or give official consent to an action, event, or decision.

Examples

  • "The council sanctioned the new housing development in the city."
  • "The committee decided to sanction the new regulations after thorough discussion."
  • "The university sanctioned the student’s research proposal based on its academic merit."
  • "The government sanctioned the construction of the new highway to ease traffic congestion."
  • "Her proposal was sanctioned by the senior management team for its potential impact."
verb

To sanction something also means to impose a penalty or punishment, typically for non-compliance with rules or regulations.

Examples

  • "The international community sanctioned the country for its human rights violations."
  • "The teacher sanctioned the student with detention for being late multiple times."
  • "The athlete was sanctioned for using performance-enhancing drugs."
  • "The company was sanctioned for breaching industry regulations on data protection."
  • "Economic sanctions were sanctioned by the UN to discourage further acts of aggression."

Cultural Context

The word 'sanction' originates from the Latin 'sanctio', meaning a decree or ordinance, which itself comes from 'sanctus', meaning 'sacred' or 'holy'. Over time, 'sanction' evolved to refer to both positive approval and punitive actions, creating a dual meaning that remains relevant in legal, governmental, and institutional contexts today.

The Sanctioned Path

Story

The Sanctioned Path

In a small town, a young lawyer named Sarah was entrusted with a delicate case involving a corporation accused of violating environmental regulations. Sarah had always prided herself on working with integrity, but the company’s lobbyists were powerful, and they pressured the town’s council to sanction their actions. The council, however, was divided. Some saw the company’s contributions to the local economy as too valuable to penalize, while others believed justice should prevail. Sarah found herself at the heart of this battle, as she urged the council to sanction the company’s actions, imposing heavy fines and restrictions. But as the council deliberated, Sarah’s old professor, who had always warned her about the dual meaning of 'sanction', reminded her that what was at stake wasn’t just the company’s future, but the town’s moral standing. Ultimately, the council sanctioned the penalties, and the company was forced to pay, but Sarah knew the real victory wasn’t just in the legal decision—it was in standing firm against the pressures to allow wrongdoing for the sake of convenience.

The Sanctioned Path