1.sanction的基本意思是“批准,认可”,属于正式用语,多指立法部门、宗教界或舆论界的裁定或认可。
2.sanction用作及物动词,接名词、代词、动名词作宾语,可用于被动结构。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
They officially sanctioned the work.他们正式批准了这项工作。
The church would not sanction the king's second marriage.教会不同意国王再婚。
How can you sanction such rudeness?你怎么会准许这种粗鲁的行为呢?
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
Torture should never be sanctioned.决不准许严刑拷打。
Our plan wasn't sanctioned by the board of directors.我们的计划没有得到董事会的批准。
The wrong pronunciation of the word is sanctioned by public usage.这个词的错误读音已被习俗认同。
▲S+～+v-ing
Her conscience does not sanction stealing.她的良心不准许行窃。
Would you sanction flogging as a punishment for crimes of violence?你赞许鞭打作为对暴力罪行的一种处罚吗?

［词源］＜中古法语sanction(政令)

Official sanction has not yet been given.尚未获得正式批准。
The custom will never receive the sanction of tradition.那种风俗绝不会作为传统的东西而被提倡。
The United Nations Security Council took sanctions against the aggressor country.联合国安理会对侵略国采取了制裁措施。
Prison is the best sanction against a crime like this.为遏止这类罪行,监禁手段是上策。