force
faws
Force (noun) means Strength or power exerted to move, influence, or affect something. Example: “The force of the explosion shattered every window nearby.”
noun
1
Strength or power exerted to move, influence, or affect something.
"The force of the explosion shattered every window nearby."
"She spoke with such force that no one dared argue."
"The sheer force of the waves pushed the little boat back onto the sand."
2
In physics, a push or pull on an object, measured in newtons.
"Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward the earth."
"Friction is a force that slows the sledge as it slides downhill."
"Students measured the force needed to pull the wooden block across the table."
3
An organized group, especially military or police, with a command structure.
"The peacekeeping force arrived within days."
"She joined the police force straight out of college."
"Many members of the air force trained at the base for months."
verb
1
To make someone do something against their will, or to make something happen through effort or pressure.
"They forced the door open when the key wouldn't work."
"Bad weather forced the pilot to change course."
"Nobody should force you to sign a contract you don't understand."
How to use force
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPower or strength used to move, change, or compel something — or a group like an army or police force.
Common pairings
brute force
police force
force someone to
by force
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Word forms
- Plural
- forces
- Third person singular
- forces
- Past tense
- forced
- Archaic forms
- forcest, forcedst, forceth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the explosion shattered every window nearby.
Etymology
From Old French force, from Late Latin fortia, derived from Latin fortis, meaning "strong."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for force
See all rhymes for force →Frequently asked questions
What does “force” mean?
The word “force” means strength or power exerted to move, influence, or affect something. In plain terms, power or strength used to move, change, or compel something — or a group like an army or police force.
How do you pronounce “force”?
“Force” is pronounced faws (/foɹs/ in IPA).
How do you use “force” in a sentence?
Here is “force” used in a sentence: “The force of the explosion shattered every window nearby.”
What part of speech is “force”?
Depending on how it is used, “force” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “force” come from?
The word “force” comes from Late Latin. From Old French force, from Late Latin fortia, derived from Latin fortis, meaning "strong.".
Is “force” a common word?
“Force” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “force” have?
“Force” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strength or power exerted to move, influence, or affect something.
What is the difference between force and power?
Force is the push or pull that moves or changes an object, measured in newtons. Power is the rate at which energy is used or work is done, measured in watts. In everyday speech the two overlap as "strength," but in physics they describe different quantities — force acts, while power measures how fast.
What are the types of force?
In physics, common forces include gravity, friction, tension, and the electromagnetic and nuclear forces. More broadly, "force" also describes non-physical pressure — political force, market forces, or the force of an argument. So the word spans literal pushes and pulls as well as influence that shapes decisions and events.
Can force be measured?
Yes. Physical force is measured in newtons, where one newton is the force needed to accelerate one kilogram by one metre per second squared. Instruments such as force gauges and load cells quantify it directly. Figurative force — the persuasive weight of an idea — is judged rather than precisely measured.
What is an example of force?
Pushing a door open, gravity pulling an apple to the ground, or wind driving a sail are all examples of physical force. Figuratively, the force of public opinion or the force of someone's personality shows the word applied to influence. Each case involves power exerted to move or affect something.
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