force

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /fɔːs/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /fɔrs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular force

Plural forces

1. A force is the act of a thing pushing on another thing, or how strongly it pushes.

   The force of the hammer hitting the nail pushes the nail into the wood.

   In science, energy is force times distance.

   He pushed his shoulder against the door with great force, but was not able to open the locked door.

2. A group that aims to attack, control, or constrain.

   police force

Verb

Plain form force

Third-person singular forces

Past tense forced

Past participle forced

Present participle forcing

1. Someone forces something to happen when they make it happen.

   He forced his way into the room.

   The large size of our family forced me to buy a bigger house.

Synonyms

• muscle