sanction

formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement"

a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards

official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times"

the act of final authorization; "it had the sanction of the church"

give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies"

give authority or permission to

give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; "sanctify the marriage"