Force
/fɔːrs/
Definitions
4 meaningsPower or strength exerted against someone or something; coercion; violence.
/fɔːrs/
Physical power or strength
The hurricane unleashed its destructive force.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to move a heavy box. The push you use is force! Like when a strong wind pushes the door open.
👶 For kids: Force is like a push or pull. If you push a toy car, you're using force!
More Examples
The police used force to disperse the crowd.
She demonstrated incredible force in the weightlifting competition.
How It's Used
"The force of gravity keeps the planets in orbit."
"The military deployed its forces to the border."
A body of people or things that is assembled or organized; a group engaged in a common activity.
/fɔːrs/
A group of people or things
A task force was created to investigate the issue.
💡 Simply: It's like a team! The police force are a team of police officers, or a task force is a team to solve a problem.
👶 For kids: A force can be a group of people. Like a police force or a superhero force!
More Examples
The combined forces of the allies were too strong.
The security force protected the building.
How It's Used
"A peacekeeping force was dispatched to the troubled region."
"The police force is responsible for maintaining order."
To make someone do something against their will; to compel or oblige.
/fɔːrs/
To compel someone to do something
The teacher forced the students to stay after school.
💡 Simply: When you make someone do something, even if they don't want to, you are forcing them. Like, if you have to force a laugh at a joke, or a parent forces you to eat your veggies.
👶 For kids: When you make someone do something, even if they don't want to, you are forcing them!
More Examples
The strong winds forced the ship back to port.
The company forced him to resign.
How It's Used
"The judge forced him to pay the fine."
"She was forced to leave her job."
To use physical or mechanical means to open, break, or otherwise achieve something.
/fɔːrs/
To achieve or cause something by physical or mechanical means
He forced the drawer open with a crowbar.
💡 Simply: When you push something, or shove something, you are using force! Like trying to force a stubborn drawer open.
👶 For kids: When you use your strength to open something that's hard to open, like a door stuck in the mud!
More Examples
They forced the plug into the socket.
The wind forced the shutters closed.
How It's Used
"The engineers forced the door open."
"He forced the key into the lock."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
in force
In operation or effect; currently valid or enforced.
"The new traffic regulations are now in force."
a force to be reckoned with
A person or thing that is powerful, influential, and must be taken seriously; someone or something to be considered and respected.
"The new CEO is a force to be reckoned with in the industry."
From Old French *force*, from Latin *fortia* ('strength, power, force'), derived from *fortis* ('strong').
The word 'force' has been used since Middle English. Initially the word was used as strength and later evolved to include groups.
Memory tip
Imagine a powerful push; that's force!