Definition
a sanction: an authorization, an approval; a ban, a restriction, an embargo, an exclusion
Do I have the sanction of the court to hit the defendant?
economic sanctions when a country cuts off or reduces aid (usually to pressure a government into doing something)
trade sanctions a trade penalty imposed by a nation onto another nation
to sanction: to permit, to support, to allow, to authorize; to punish, to restrict, to ban
The word "sanction" is interesting because it can have opposite meanings depending on its context. This type of word is called a "contronym".
We have sanctioned your request, you may now build an extension to your house.
The judge sanctioned the lawyer for his many pointless objections.
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