[n] the act of final authorization; "it had the sanction of the church"
[n] a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
[n] official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times"
[n] formal and explicit approval
[v] give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies"
[v] give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; "sanctify the marriage"
[v] give authority or permission to