<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.</li><li>something that serves to support an action, condition, etc.</li><li>something that gives binding force, as to an oath, rule of conduct, etc.</li><li>Law. a provision of a law enacting a penalty for disobedience or a reward for obedience.</li><li>the penalty or reward.</li><li>International Law. action by one or more states toward another state calculated to force it to comply with legal obligations.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>to authorize, approve, or allow: an expression now sanctioned by educated usage.</li><li>to ratify or confirm: to sanction a law.</li><li>to impose a sanction on; penalize, especially by way of discipline.</li></ul>