Sanction - Definition

n 1: formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the
union's endorsement" [syn: sanction, countenance,
endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur]
2: a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's
standards
3: official permission or approval; "authority for the program
was renewed several times" [syn: authority,
authorization, authorisation, sanction]
4: the act of final authorization; "it had the sanction of the
church"
v 1: give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies"
[syn: approve, O.K., okay, sanction] [ant:
disapprove, reject]
2: give authority or permission to
3: give religious sanction to, such as through on oath;
"sanctify the marriage"