The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Sanction \Sanc"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sanctioned; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Sanctioning.]
   To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.
   [1913 Webster]

         Would have counseled, or even sanctioned, such perilous
         experiments.                             --De Quincey.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

sanctioned
    adj 1: conforming to orthodox or recognized rules; "the drinking
           of cocktails was as canonical a rite as the mixing"-
           Sinclair Lewis [syn: canonic, canonical,
           sanctioned]
    2: formally approved and invested with legal authority [syn:
       ratified, sanctioned]
    3: established by authority; given authoritative approval; "a
       list of approved candidates" [syn: approved, sanctioned]