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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Latin fortis 'strong' |
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force1 S3 W1
1
military
a) [countable usually plural] a group of people who have been trained to do military work for a government or other organization He strengthened US forces in the Gulf.
➔ air force, armed forces, ground forcesHe strengthened US forces in the Gulf.; ➔ peacekeeping force
at peacekeeping; ➔ security forces
at security (1), task force (2)2 military action used as a way of achieving your aims :
military action
[uncountable]3 violent physical action used to get what you want : The police used force to overpower the demonstrators.
violence
[uncountable]The police used force to overpower the demonstrators. by force In the end he had to be thrown out of the house by force.
In the end he had to be thrown out of the house by force.4 the amount of physical power with which something moves or hits another thing [↪ strength]
physical power
[uncountable] with great/considerable/increasing etc force He raised his hand and struck her with terrifying force.
He raised his hand and struck her with terrifying force.5 a natural power or event : the force of gravity
natural power
[uncountable and countable]the force of gravity6 a group of people who have been trained and organized to do a particular job :
organized group
[countable usually singular]7 something or someone who is powerful and has a lot of influence on the way things happen He's a quick and decisive player - a force to be reckoned with (=a person, team, company etc that influences what happens).
strong influence
[countable] the driving force (behind something/somebody) (=the person or thing that makes something happen) Betty Coward was the driving force behind the project.
Betty Coward was the driving force behind the project. a force for change/peace/democracy etc (=someone or something that makes change, peace etc more likely to happen) Healthy competition is a force for innovation.
Healthy competition is a force for innovation.He's a quick and decisive player - a force to be reckoned with (=a person, team, company etc that influences what happens).8 the powerful effect that something has on you : Even after 30 years, the play has lost none of its force. the force of his personality
powerful effect
[uncountable]Even after 30 years, the play has lost none of its force.the force of his personality9 to work together so that you can deal with a problem, be more powerful etc
join/combine forces (with somebody/something)
10
in force
a) SCL if a law, rule etc is in force, it already exists : The trade embargo has been in force for a year.
The trade embargo has been in force for a year.b) in a large group, especially in order to protest about something [= in large numbers]:
11 if a new law, rule, change etc comes or is brought into force, it starts to exist : Parking restrictions in the town centre came into force last month.
come into force/bring something into force
Parking restrictions in the town centre came into force last month.12 because you have always done a particular thing and it is difficult to change : I get up at 6 o'clock every day from force of habit.
by/through/out of force of habit
I get up at 6 o'clock every day from force of habit.13 if something happens by force of circumstance, events outside your control make it happen
by/through force of circumstance(s)
British English14
wind
16 people or things that increase the amount of good or bad in the world : the battle against the forces of evil
the forces of good/evil etc
literarythe battle against the forces of evil
