tr.v., -forced, -forc·ing, -forc·es.
- To compel observance of or obedience to: enforce a law.
- To impose (a kind of behavior, for example): enforce military discipline.
- To give force to; reinforce: "enforces its plea with a description of the pains of hell" (Albert C. Baugh).
[Middle English enforcen, from Old French enforcier, to exert force, compel, and from enforcir, to strengthen : en-, causative pref.; see en-1 + force, strength; see force.]
enforceability en·force'a·bil'i·ty n.enforceable en·force'a·ble adj.
enforcement en·force'ment n.
enforcer en·forc'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
