government-sanctioned
|gov-ern-ment-sanc-tioned|
🇺🇸
/ˈɡʌvərnmənt ˈsæŋkʃənd/
🇬🇧
/ˈɡʌv(ə)n.mənt ˈsæŋkʃənd/
authorized by the government
Etymology
'government-sanctioned' originates from English, combining 'government' and the past participle of 'sanction.' 'Government' comes via Old French 'governer' from Latin 'gubernare' ('to steer, direct'), and 'sanction' comes from Latin 'sanctio' (from 'sanctus', 'holy') where 'sanctio' later meant 'a decree or authoritative approval.'
'government' developed from Latin 'gubernare' → Old French 'governer' → Middle English 'governen' → modern English 'government.' 'sanctio' passed into Old French as 'sancion' and Middle English as 'sancioun'/'sanction', later becoming the verb 'to sanction' (to authorize) and its past participle 'sanctioned'. The compound 'government-sanctioned' is a modern English formation combining these elements to mean 'authorized by government.'
Initially, 'sanctio' related to 'making holy' or 'a formal decree'; over time 'sanction' came to mean 'authoritative approval' and the verb 'to sanction' came to mean 'to authorize or permit.' Consequently, 'government-sanctioned' now means 'authorized or approved by the government.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
approved, authorized, or permitted by the government; officially endorsed by a governmental authority.
The government-sanctioned program provides grants to renewable energy startups.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/26 00:14