n. The act of approving or commending; the giving of assent to something as proper or praiseworthy; sanction; approval; commendation.n. In the Roman Catholic Church, the official judgment of a bishop or his representative approving the fitness of a priest for hearing confession.n. An official sanction or license formerly required in England, France, etc., for the publication of a book or other writing.n. 4. Conclusive evidence; proof.n. 5. Probation; trial; novitiate.n. Synonyms Approbation, Approval, liking, commendation; sanction, consent, concurrence. Approbation and approval are becoming separated in meaning, approbation being used more for the inward feeling, and approval more for the formal act.