from Latin sanction-, sanctio, from sancire to make holy -- more at SACRED 15th century
: a formal decree; especially : an ecclesiastical decree
2 a obsolete : a solemn agreement : OATH b : something that makes an oath binding
: the detriment, loss of reward, or coercive intervention annexed to a violation of a law as a means of enforcing the law
: a consideration, principle, or influence (as of conscience) that impels to moral action
or determines moral judgment b : a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's
standards c : explicit or official approval, permission, or ratification : APPROBATION
5 : an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert
for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication