Definitions
1.nounAn approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid."The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government."
2.nounA penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body."The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa."
3.nounA law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.
4.verbTo ratify; to make valid.
5.verbTo give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
6.verbTo penalize (a State etc.) with sanctions.