force

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.

“Force” is pronounced faws (/foɹs/ in IPA).

Here is “force” used in a sentence: “The force of the explosion shattered every window nearby.”

Depending on how it is used, “force” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “force” comes from Late Latin. From Old French force, from Late Latin fortia, derived from Latin fortis, meaning "strong.".

“Force” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Force” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strength or power exerted to move, influence, or affect something.

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.

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.

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.

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.