sanction

/ˈsæŋkʃən/ noun

Definition

› [C, usually plural] POLITICS an official order to stop or limit trade or communication with a country in order to make it obey international law: sanctions on sth This averted the threat of American sanctions on Japanese car exports.impose sanctions against/on sb The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on the country to curb its nuclear program. economic/financial/trade sanctions drop/ease/lift sanctions apply/enforce sanctions international sanctions

› [C] LAW a punishment given when someone does not obey a rule or a law: criminal/legal sanctions The State Department needs to determine how it will apply sanctions. He could face sanctions if a judge concludes he violated the terms of his probation.

› [U] LAW formal or legal approval or permission: sanction for sth Agricultural companies in the area cannot get official sanction for logging.

(Definition of sanction noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)