sanction

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C,usually pl.] ~ (against sb) an official order that limits trade, contact, etc. with a particular country, in order to make it do sth, such as obeying international law: Trade sanctions were imposed against any country that refused to sign the agreement. * The economic sanctions have been lifted. 2 [U] (formal) official permission or approval for an action or a change: These changes will require the sanction of the court. * Their ideas received official sanction at the meeting. 3 [C] ~ (against sth) a course of action that can be used, if necessary, to make people obey a law or behave in a particular way: The ultimate sanction will be the closure of the restaurant. * We now have an effective sanction against the killing of whales. verb [VN] 1 (formal) to give permission for sth to take place: The government refused to sanction a further cut in interest rates. 2 (technical) to punish sb/sth; to IMPOSE a sanction(1) on sth