Word.ws English Dictionary

force

UK/fɔːs/

More pronunciations (1)Fewer pronunciations

Australia/foːs/

force noun: ability to influence; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect.

Noun (1)

force (countable and uncountable, plural forces)

  1. Ability to influence; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect.
    • the force of an appeal, an argument, or a contract
    • show of force
  2. (uncountable) The generalized abstraction of this concept.
    • Torque is the rotational version of force.
    • Force is the result of fundamental interactions.
  3. (countable) A particular form or type of force.
    • Most physicists deem there to be four fundamental forces: the weak force, the strong force, gravitation, and the electromagnetic force.
    • fictitious forces
  4. (capitalized, humorous, often) A metaphysical and ubiquitous power from the fictional Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. See usage note.
    • The Europeans tried, my goodness how they tried. But on the day the US proved too strong and too inspired. They were, dammit, just better. And when Leonard's putt dropped they clearly had the force with them as well.1999 September 28, Mike Selvey, “Crenshaw vindicated by a chain reaction”, in The Guardian
    • The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.2005, George Lucas, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, spoken by Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), published 2005
  5. (countable) An instance of a physical force.
    • A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial...2012 March, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, pages 112–3
    • Two forces acting upon the same point on an object will cancel out only if they have equal magnitude and opposite directions.
  6. (possibly, proscribed, uncountable) Force understood as something of which there can be an amount.
    • Heavier objects are those that are subject to more gravitational force.
  7. (countable) Anything that is able to make a substantial change in a person or thing.
  8. Something or anything that has the power to produce a physical effect upon something else, such as causing it to move or change shape.
  9. (countable) Something that exerts influence.
    • force of nature
    1. (when in reference to that which it affects) Something that, over time, influences a system with which it interacts (with a connotation of underlyingness, subtlety, or indirectness).
      • I believe that the main long-term force that guides a society's evolution is not the economy or the leaders, but the culture.
      • Some skeptics have attributed changing temperatures to forces out of our control, such as axial procession.
  10. (uncountable) Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion.
    • which now they hold by force, and not by right1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
    1. Either unlawful violence, as in a "forced entry", or lawful compulsion.
  11. (countable) A group organized for the goal of attacking, controlling, or constraining, especially one with a set command structure (in particular, a military or police group).
    • air force; police force
    • Force Z
    1. Any large, organized group involved in a military engagement.
    2. (plural, singular) Military personnel, collectively, including any vehicles, ships, or aircraft. More broadly, the military or police altogether.
      • After only a week, Japanese forces had captured Singapore from the British.
      • reinforcements grew the American force in the area to 9,000
    3. (plural, singular, usually, with-definite-article) Synonym of police force.
      • Q. All the time that he was on the force?
      • A. I cannot say that; but there were men on with me when I was on the force who were very good Republicans.
      • Q. During all this time you have been on the police force?1880, [U.S.] House documents, page 64
  12. (uncountable) The state of having legal weight, of being legally valid,.
    • The law will come into force in January.
    Synonyms:
    effect
Show 3 more meaningsShow fewer meanings
  1. (countable) A magic trick in which the outcome is known to the magician beforehand, especially one involving the apparent free choice of a card by another person.
  2. Ability of an utterance or its element (word, form, prosody, ...) to effect a given meaning.
    • When the aspectual force of the verbal categories weakens, the 'terminative', punctual or determinative value of the prefix gains in importance,...1962, J Gonda, The aspectual function of the R̥gvedic present and aorist, S̓-Gravenhage, Mouton, page 43
  3. (actuarial science) The annualized instantaneous rate of change at a particular timepoint.
    • force of mortality

Verb (1)

force (third-person singular simple present forces, present participle forcing, simple past and past participle forced)

  1. (transitive) To make someone or something do something, often regardless of their will.
    • Captain Edward Carlisle[…]felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze,[…]; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as...1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC
    • The second problem is the economy, the shocking state of which has forced the decision to apply to the EU.2009 July 23, “All things to Althingi”, in The Economist
    Synonyms:
    thrust
  2. (transitive) To constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of.
    • Shall wee force the general law of nature, which in all living creatures under heaven is seene to tremble at paine?1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 40, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book I, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC
  3. (transitive) To drive (something) by force, to propel (generally + prepositional phrase or adverb).
    • It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay / That scarce the victor forced the steel away.1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC
    • to force the tyrant from his seat by warc. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard...
    Synonyms:
    thrust
  4. (transitive) To cause to occur (despite inertia, resistance etc.); to produce through force.
    • The comedian's jokes weren't funny, but I forced a laugh now and then.
    • Janet Tobacman of Woman Organized for Reproductive Choice (WORC) in Chicago and New Jewish Agenda stated, "R2N2 needs omre discussion and action around sexuality in general," forcing a concern that had little discussion throughout the conference.1982 December 4, Sharon Page, “R2N2 Conference: Revitalizing the Movement”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 20, page 3
  5. (transitive) To forcibly open (a door, lock etc.).
    • I forgot my keys in and so we had to force (open) the door.
  6. (transitive) To violate (a woman); to rape.
    • For yf ye were suche fyfty as ye be / ye were not able to make resystence ageynst this deuyl / here lyeth a duchesse deede the whiche was the fayrest of alle the world wyf to syre Howel / duc of Bretayne / he hath murthred her in forcynge her / and has slytte her vnto the nauyl1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter V, in Le Morte Darthur, book V
    • a young woman not farre from mee had headlong cast her selfe out of a high window, with intent to kill herselfe, only to avoid the ravishment of a rascally-base souldier that lay in her house, who offered to force her[…].1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 1, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC
  7. (intransitive, obsolete, reflexive) To exert oneself, to do one's utmost.
    • And I pray you for my sake to force yourselff there, that men may speke you worshyp.1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum xxi”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book XVIII, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer...
  8. To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress.
  9. (transitive) To create an out by touching a base in advance of a runner who has no base to return to while in possession of a ball which has already touched the ground.
    • Jones forced the runner at second by stepping on the bag.
  10. To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit that he/she does not hold.
  11. (archaic) To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
    • VVhat can the Church force more?1612–1613 (date written), John Webster, The Tragedy of the Dutchesse of Malfy. […], London: […] Nicholas Okes, for Iohn Waterson, […], published 1623, →OCLC, Act I, scene ii
  12. (archaic) To provide with forces; to reinforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
    • Were they not forc’d with thoſe that ſhould be ours, / We might haue met them darefull, beard to beard, / And beate them backward home.c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
  13. (obsolete) To allow the force of; to value; to care for.
    • For me, I force not argument a straw.1594, William Shakespeare, Lucrece (First Quarto), London: […] Richard Field, for Iohn Harrison, […], →OCLC
  14. To grow (rhubarb) in the dark, causing it to grow early.

Noun (2)

force (plural forces)

  1. (Northern England, countable) A waterfall or cascade.
    • to see the falls or force of the river Kent1778, Thomas West, A Guide to the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire

Verb (2)

force (third-person singular simple present forces, present participle forcing, simple past and past participle forced)

  1. To stuff; to lard; to farce.
    • Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit.c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

Proper noun (1) capitalized: Force

Force

  1. (Northern England) Falls. used in place names.

Proper noun (2) capitalized: Force

Force (plural Forces)

  1. A surname.

force meaning in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Urdu

force in Hindi

physical quantity
बल bal
group that aims to attack, control, or constrain
बल bal
strength or energy of body or mind
बल bal
anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing
ज़ोर zor, बल bal

force in Tamil

விசை, படை, அதிகாரம், ஆட்பலம், கட்டாயப்படுத்து, வற்புறுத்து

force in Marathi

power exerted against will or consent
जबरदस्ती jabardastī
physical quantity
बळ baḷ
group that aims to attack, control, or constrain
प्रबळ गट prabaḷ gaṭ
ability to attack, control, or constrain
बळ baḷ

force in Urdu

anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing
زور zor
More languagesFewer languages
force in Bengali
বল bol, জোর jōr
force in Telugu
బలాత్కరించు balātkariñcu
force in Malayalam
ബലം balaṁ, ശക്തി śakti
force in Kannada
ಬಲ bala
force in Punjabi
جند jind, ਮੜ੍ਹਨਾ maṛhnā
force in Gujarati
બળ baḷ
force in Odia
ଜୋର୍ jor
force in Sanskrit
रभस् rabhas, परस्परक्रिया parasparakriyā, सहस् sahas
force in Sinhala
බලය balaya
force in Assamese
বল bol
force in Nepali
बल, जबरजस्ती, जबरजस्ती गर्न
force in Tagalog
isig, puwersa
force in Arabic
قُوَّة quwwa, أَجْبَرَ ʔajbara, اِضْطَرَّ iḍṭarra
force in Malay
daya, kuasa
force in Indonesian
gaya, kakas, forsa, kekuatan
force in Persian
نیرو niru
force in Thai
แรง rɛɛng, ฝืน fʉ̌ʉn, บังคับ bang-káp
force in Vietnamese
lực, lực lượng, thần lực, vũ lực

Examples of force in a sentence

  • He was, in the full force of the words, a good man.1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XIV, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify...
  • As the force that attracts conglomerates of matter to one another, gravity has a limitless pull.1989 May, John Boslough, “Searching for the Secrets of Gravity”, in National Geographic, volume 175, number 5, page 563:
  • Catrin: Are you gonna bring it me, or shall I use the Force?2010, Gary Owen, Love Steals Us from Loneliness, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, →DOI, →ISBN, page 14:
  • Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.2012 March, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, pages 112–3:

All 40 example sentences with force

Synonyms of force

15 more synonymsFewer synonyms

All synonyms of force

Forms of force

Noun
pluralforces
Verb
third-person singular presentforces
present participleforcing
past participleforced
pastforced
second-person singular present (archaic)forcest
second-person singular past (archaic)forcedst
third-person singular present (archaic)forceth
Proper noun
pluralForces
alternative formVorce

Past tense of force: forced

Plural of force: forces

Origin of force

From Middle English force, fors, forse, from Old French force, from Late Latin fortia, a noun derived from the neuter plural of Latin fortis (“strong”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“to rise, high, hill”).

From Middle English forcen, from Old French forcier, from Late Latin *fortiāre, from Latin fortia.

From Middle English force, forz, fors, from Old Norse fors (“waterfall”), from Proto-Germanic *fursaz (“waterfall”). Cognate with Icelandic foss (“waterfall”), Norwegian foss (“waterfall”), Swedish fors (“waterfall”). Doublet of foss.

Words formed from force

Phrases with force

99 more phrasesFewer phrases

Words that rhyme with force

18 more rhymesFewer rhymes

Questions about force

What does force mean?
Force means ability to influence; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect.
What is force in Hindi?
Force in Hindi is बल (bal), ज़ोर (zor), विवश करना (vivaś karnā). See Force meaning in Hindi.
How do you use force in a sentence?
He was, in the full force of the words, a good man.
What part of speech is force?
Force can be a noun, a verb or a proper noun.
How do you pronounce force?
Force is pronounced /fɔːs/ (UK).
What is the plural of force?
The plural of force is forces.

Words near force in the dictionary

  1. forcasted
  2. forcasten
  3. forcasting
  4. forcasts
  5. forcause
  6. force
  7. force de frappe
  8. force diagram
  9. force diagrams
  10. force down someone's throat
  11. force fed

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: force (page history and authors); Force (page history and authors); force (Tamil Wiktionary) (page history and authors); ಬಲ (Kannada) (page history and authors); جند (Punjabi) (page history and authors); ଜୋର୍ (Odia) (page history and authors); force (Nepali, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

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Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: en-us-force.ogg.

Cite this entry: “force.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/force. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.