v.
Pronunciation: in- ' fo ̇ rs, en-
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French enforcer, from en- + force force
Date: 14th century
1 : to give force to : STRENGTHEN
2 : to urge with energy < enforce arguments>
3 : CONSTRAIN , COMPEL < enforce obedience>
4 obsolete : to effect or gain by force
5 : to carry out effectively < enforce laws>
– en · force · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ fo ̇ r-s ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– en · force · able \ - ' fo ̇ r-s ə -b ə l \ adjective
– en · force · ment \ - ' fo ̇ r-sm ə nt \ noun