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| force [ fawrss ] |
noun (plural forc·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. natural strength: the power, strength, or energy that somebody or something possesses
  Trees were blown down by the force of the storm.
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2. physical power: physical power, effort, or violence used against somebody or something that resists
The use of force should be a last resort.
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3. effectiveness: the condition of being effective, valid, or applicable
The new regulations come into force next week.
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4. nonphysical power: power or strength that is intellectual or moral rather than physical
swayed by the force of your argument
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5. somebody or something with great influence: somebody or something that has great power or influence, especially in a particular field
She remained a force in local politics until her death.
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6. group organized to fight: a body of military personnel, ships, or aircraft brought together to fight in a battle or a war
A naval task force has been sent to the area.
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7. police officers: a professional body of police officers
He left the force in 1985.
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8. people working together: a group of people who work together for a particular purpose
a sales force
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9. physics influence that moves something: a physical influence that tends to change the position of an object with mass, equal to the rate of change in momentum of the object.
Symbol F
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10. meteorology wind strength: the strength of the wind, especially as measured on the Beaufort scale, from 0 to 12
(
often used in combination
)
a force nine gale
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plural noun forc·es |
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| Definition: |
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organized military service: the professional military organizations belonging to a country
Were you in the forces?
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transitive verb (past and past participle forced, present participle forc·ing, 3rd person present singular forc·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. compel somebody: to use superior physical or mental power to make somebody or yourself do something that is not agreeable
The weather forced us to turn back.
She forced herself to be polite to him.
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2. move something with strength: to use physical strength or violence to move something or somebody that puts up resistance
If the key won't turn easily, don't force it.
I had to force the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube.
She forced the dog back into the house.
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3. create passage by strength: to create a way or passage through something using physical strength or another kind of power
They forced a path through the jungle.
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4. obtain something by pressure: to obtain something or make something happen by using physical or mental pressure
She's been trying to force a confrontation all week.
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5. break something open: to open something that is locked or jammed by using power or effort, often breaking or damaging it in the process
This door has been forced.
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6. strain to do something: to produce or use something in a strained or unnatural way
Just agree with whatever she says and try to force a smile.
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7. make plant mature: to cause a plant to flower or mature before its normal time
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8. rape somebody: to subject somebody to rape
(
dated
)
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9. baseball put runner out: in baseball, to put out a runner on a force play
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10. baseball create run: in baseball, to create a run by walking a batter when the bases are full
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11. card games make player play specific way: in a card game, to give a player no choice but to play a specific card or make a specific bid or move
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| [13th century. < Old French< Latin fortis "strong"] |
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| force·a·ble adjective |
| force·less adjective |
| forc·er noun |
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in force
1. in a large or strong group
2. effective or valid
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join forces to combine together, or combine with somebody else, for a joint effort
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