The spelling of the word "sanction" may seem confusing at first, but it follows the standard English spelling rules. The word has two meanings: "a penalty for disobeying a law or rule" and "official permission or approval." The first pronunciation, /ˈsæŋkʃən/, emphasizes the "g" sound and is associated with the penalty meaning. The second pronunciation, /ˈsænkʃən/, emphasizes the "c" sound and is associated with the permission meaning. Therefore, knowing the pronunciation and its meaning can provide clarity when spelling the word "sanction."
Sanction, used as a noun, refers to an official measure or action taken by a government, institution, or authority in response to a particular behavior or as a form of punishment. It can encompass a range of actions, including imposing penalties, restrictions, or embargoes, for the purpose of enforcing compliance with laws, regulations, or agreements.
Additionally, sanction can also denote explicit approval, endorsement, or permission granted by a governing body or authority figure, often to authorize a particular action or process. In this context, it implies official consent or validation.
As a verb, to sanction involves giving approval, support, or permission for a certain action, policy, or behavior. It can also involve imposing punitive measures or penalties as a means of disciplining or penalizing non-compliance.
Sanctions often aim to maintain order, enforce laws, and discourage undesirable conduct. They can be applied in various contexts, such as international relations, politics, economics, sports, or legal systems. Sanctions can serve as a deterrent, discouraging individuals or entities from engaging in prohibited activities or behaviors, while also ensuring compliance with established norms, regulations, or standards.
In summary, sanctions are official measures taken by a governing body or authority, whether as a response to disobedience or as an endorsement or authorization. They can involve both punitive actions and supportive or approving measures to ensure conformity, enforce compliance, or maintain order in diverse contexts.
• A confirming or giving authority or validity to; ratification; authority; influence or custom.
• To ratify or confirm; to give authority to; to countenance or support.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sanction" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "sanctio", which means "a decree" or "approval". The word was originally used in Roman law to refer to an authoritative action or decree by an official body, typically involving an approval or endorsement.
From Latin, the word passed into Old French as "sancion" and then into Middle English as "sancioun". Over time, its meaning expanded to include other related concepts such as penalties or punitive measures. Today, "sanction" can refer to both positive measures, such as formal approval or endorsement, as well as negative measures, such as penalties or restrictions imposed on a person, group, or nation.