force
pronunciation
How to pronounce force in British English:
UK [fɔːs]
How to pronounce force in American English:
US [fɔːrs]
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- Noun:
- a unit that is part of some military service
- one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority
- (physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity
- group of people willing to obey orders
- a powerful effect or influence
- an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
- physical energy or intensity
- a group of people having the power of effective action
- (of a law) having legal validity
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- Verb:
- to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
- urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
- move with force, "He pushed the table into a corner"
- impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably
- squeeze like a wedge into a tight space
- force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically
- do forcibly; exert force
- cause to move along the ground by pulling
- take by force
Word Origin
- force
- force: [13] The ultimate source of force is Latin fortis ‘strong’, which also gave English comfort, effort, fort, etc. In post-classical times a noun was formed from it, *fortia ‘strength’, which passed into English via Old French force. (The force of forcemeat [17], incidentally, is a variant of farce, in its original sense ‘stuff’, and is not etymologically related to force ‘strength’.)=> comfort, effort, fort
- force (n.)
- c. 1300, "physical strength," from Old French force "force, strength; courage, fortitude; violence, power, compulsion" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *fortia (source also of Old Spanish forzo, Spanish fuerza, Italian forza), noun use of neuter plural of Latin fortis "strong, mighty; firm, steadfast; brave, bold" (see fort). Meanings "power to convince the mind" and "power exerted against will or consent" are from mid-14c. Meaning "body of armed men, a military organization" first recorded late 14c. (also in Old French). Physics sense is from 1660s; force field attested by 1920. Related: Forces.
- force (v.)
- c. 1300, forcen, also forsen, "exert force upon (an adversary)," from Old French forcer "conquer by violence," from force "strength, power, compulsion" (see force (n.)). From early 14c. as "to violate (a woman), to rape." From c. 1400 as "compel by force, constrain (someone to do something)." Meaning "bring about by unusual effort" is from 1550s. Card-playing sense is from 1746 (whist). Related: Forced; forcing.
Example
- 1. But we are a peaceful force .
- 2. New orleans police have a tendency to overuse force .
- 3. No one can force anyone to seek help .
- 4. This would force companies to use capital efficiently .
- 5. The jamaican force has three british assistant commissioners .