Sanction

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by authority to it; confirmation; approbation. The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony. I. Watts.

2. Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions.

Synonyms: Ratification; authorization; authoruty; countenance; support.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve. Would have counseled, or even sanctioned, such perilous experiments. De Quincey.

Synonyms: ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance.