verb
enforce
ihn-FAWS
verb
1
To make sure a law, rule, or requirement is obeyed.
"Police enforce traffic laws throughout the city."
"The school strictly enforces its dress code."
How to Use Enforce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make people follow a rule or law, often using authority or penalties.
Common pairings
enforce the law
enforce a rule
strictly enforced
Word Forms
enforced past tense, enforces singular
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Police _____ traffic laws throughout the city.
Etymology
From Old French enforcier, from Late Latin infortiare, from in- + fortis ("strong") — literally "to make strong."