sanction

[ˈsæŋkʃən]

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A sanction is a punishment or penalty that's enforced when someone breaks the rules or doesn't follow what's agreed upon.

Think of it like this: imagine you're part of a team and everyone agrees to work on a project together. But one person decides not to do their part, and as a result, the whole project gets delayed. To make sure people stick to their promises, there might be consequences - let's call them sanctions - for those who don't cooperate. For instance, maybe that person has to apologize publicly or help with extra tasks on top of their original responsibilities. The idea is to encourage everyone to do their part so the team can achieve its goals.

How common is "sanction"?

Word sanction is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.
Example: The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government.
A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.
Example: The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.
A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.

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verb

To ratify; to make valid.
To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
To penalize (a State etc.) with sanctions.

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Real examples of "sanction" in context

John Cena | The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon

Interview

that I didn't sanction around my property.

2:18