force1

noun

• 1strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement:he was thrown backwards by the force of the explosion
• Physics an influence tending to change the motion of a body or produce motion or stress in a stationary body. The magnitude of such an influence is often calculated by multiplying the mass of the body and its acceleration.
• [in combination] used with a number as a measure of wind strength on the Beaufort scale:a force-nine gale

• 2coercion or compulsion, especially with the use or threat of violence:they ruled by law and not by force

• 3mental or moral strength or power:the force of popular opinion
• [count noun] a person or thing regarded as exerting power or influence:he might still be a force for peace and unity
• the powerful effect of something:the Committee accepted the force of this argument

• 4 [count noun] an organized body of military personnel or police:a British peacekeeping force
• (forces) troops and weaponry:left-wing guerrilla forces figurativea battle between the forces of good and evil
• (the forces) British informal the army, navy, and air force of a country.
• (the force) British informal the police.
• a group of people brought together and organized for a particular activity:a sales force

verb

• 1make a way through or into by physical strength; break open by force:the back door of the bank was forced
• [with object and adverbial] drive or push into a specified position or state using physical strength or against resistance:thieves tried to force open the cash register Mark forced her arms back above her head
• achieve or bring about (something) by effort:Sabine forced a smile they forced a way through the crowd
• artificially hasten the development or maturity of (a plant).

• 2make (someone) do something against their will:she was forced into early retirement [with object and infinitive]:the universities were forced to cut staff
• Baseball put out (a runner) by necessitating an advance to the next base when it is not possible to do so safely.