sanction
noun
verb
ˈsæŋkʃən noun
1
sanctions
official orders or laws stopping trade, communication etc with another country, as a way of forcing its leaders to make political changes 〔对某国的〕制裁 plural 复数
[+ against ]
US sanctions against Cuba
美国对古巴的制裁
a resolution to impose sanctions (=start using sanctions) on North Korea
对朝鲜实施制裁的决议
the threat of trade sanctions
贸易制裁的威胁
The UN security council may impose economic sanctions .
联合国安理会可能会实施经济制裁。
Any talk about lifting sanctions (=ending them) is premature.
现时就谈取消制裁尚为时过早。
2 official permission, approval, or acceptance 正式许可 （批准，接受） U | formal
Apparently, the aide had acted without White House sanction.
这名助理的所作所为显然未经过白宫的批准。
3 a form of punishment that can be used if someone disobeys a rule or law [正式] 处罚，惩罚 C | formal
the harshest possible sanction which could be imposed
可能采取的最严厉的处罚
verb
4 to officially accept or allow something 批准，准许;
The church refused to sanction the king’s second marriage.
教会拒绝批准国王的第二次婚姻。
5
be sanctioned by sth
to be made acceptable by something 为某事物所认可
a barbaric custom, but one sanctioned by long usage
一种野蛮但由来已久的风俗