Skip to content

sanction

sanction, penalty

noun sahn-SYOHN Rare
People & Society Law

Origin: Latin sanctio

Also means

approval, authorization

Usage Note

Sanction is a classic 'Janus word' in French: it can mean a punitive measure (des sanctions économiques = economic sanctions) or, in formal/legal usage, official approval (la sanction d'une loi = enactment of a law). Context almost always disambiguates. The verb sanctionner shares both meanings.

Examples

"Des sanctions ont été imposées au pays."

Natural Translation

Sanctions were imposed on the country.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Explore French by topic