How to pronounce sanction
Say it like SANGK-shun. Sanction has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SANGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sanction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SANGK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sanction pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SANGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sanction
American and British speakers say sanction in essentially the same way: /ˈsæŋkʃən/ in the US and /ˈsæŋkʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: SANGK-shun.
What does sanction mean?
- An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid.“The whalers had been operating in the contested waters off the island with sanction from the Japanese government.”
- A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body.“The United States enacted a new round of sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.”
- A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above.
- To ratify; to make valid.
- To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance.
- To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions.
Where does sanction come from?
From Middle French sanction, from Latin sānctiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying sanction
How do you pronounce sanction?
Say SANGK-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˈsæŋkʃən/. In British English it is /ˈsæŋkʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sanction?
Sanction has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SANGK). Broken into parts: SANGK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say sanction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsæŋkʃən/ and the British form is /ˈsæŋkʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.