# sanction

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsæŋkʃ(ə)n/ · frequency rank #16,582

## Definitions
1. An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.
2. A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.
3. A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.

## Etymology
From Middle French sanction, from Latin sānctiō.

## Easily confused with
- **section** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sanction-vs-section)
- **suction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sanction-vs-suction)
- **sanctity** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sanction-vs-sanctity)
- **sanctions** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sanction-vs-sanctions)

## Common misspellings (13)
`asnction`, `sacntion`, `sancction`, `sanciton`, `sancsion`, `sanctino`, `sanctionn`, `sanctoin`, `sancttion`, `sannction`, `santcion`, `snaction`, `ssanction`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sanction