Part of speech: nounviolent action
1 [U] violent physical action used to obtain or achieve sth:
The release of the hostages could not be achieved without the use of force. * The rioters were taken away by force. * The ultimatum contained the threat of military force. * We will achieve much more by persuasion than by brute force. * plans to seize power by force of arms (= by military force)
physical strength
2 [U] the physical strength of sth that is shown as it hits sth else:
the force of the blow / explosion / collision * The shopping centre took the full force of the blast. * She hits the ball with amazing force for someone so small. -< STRENGTH
strong effect
3 [U] the strong effect or influence of sth:
They realized the force of her argument. * He controlled himself by sheer force of will. * She spoke with force and deliberation.
sb / sth with power
4 [C] a person or thing that has a lot of power or influence:
economic / market forces * the forces of good / evil * Ron is the driving force (= the person who has the most influence) behind the project. * She's a force to be reckoned with (= a person who has a lot of power and influence and should therefore be treated seriously). * The expansion of higher education should be a powerful force for change. * Television has become a major force in American political life. * He was finally defeated by forces beyond his control.
authority
5 [U] the authority of sth:
These guidelines do not have the force of law. * The court ruled that these standards have force in British law. * The culprits must expect to face the full force of the law.
group of people
6 [C+sing./pl.v.] a group of people who have been organized for a particular purpose:
a member of the sales force * A large proportion of the labour force (= all the people who work in a particular company, area, etc.) is unskilled.
seealsoWORKFORCE
military
7 [C+sing./pl.v.] a group of people who have been trained to protect other people, usually by using weapons:
a member of the security forces * rebel / government forces * a peace-keeping force
seealsoAIRFORCE, POLICEFORCE, TASKFORCE
8 (the forces) [pl.] (BrE) the army, navy and air force:
allied / defence forces
seealsoTHEARMEDFORCES
9 (forces) [pl.] the weapons and soldiers that an army, etc. has, considered as things that may be used:
strategic nuclear forces.
police
10 (the force) [sing.] (BrE) the police force:
He joined the force twenty years ago.
physics
11 [C,U] an effect that causes things to move in a particular way:
The moon exerts a force on the earth. * the force of gravity * magnetic / centrifugal force
of wind
12 [C,usually sing.] a unit for measuring the strength of the wind:
a force 9 gale * a gale force wind
seealsoTOURDEFORCE
IDIOMS
bring sth into force to cause a law, rule, etc. to start being used:
They are hoping to bring the new legislation into force before the end of the year.
come / enter into force (of a law, rule, etc.) to start being used:
When do the new regulations come into force?
force of habit if you do sth from or out of force of habit, you do it automatically and in a particular way because you have always done it that way in the past:
It's force of habit that gets me out of bed at 6.15 each morning.
the forces of nature the power of the wind, rain, etc., especially when it causes damage or harm:
They were fighting a losing battle against the forces of nature.
in force
1 (of people) in large numbers:
Protesters turned out in force.
2 (of a law, rule, etc.) being used:
The new regulations are now in force.
join / combine forces (with sb) to work together in order to achieve a shared aim:
The two firms joined forces to win the contract.
moreatSPENT
