strong force

noun

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of strong force

: a fundamental physical force that acts on hadrons and is responsible for the binding together of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus and for processes of particle creation in high-energy collisions and that is the strongest known fundamental physical force but acts only over distances comparable to those between nucleons in an atomic nucleus — called also strong interaction, strong nuclear force; compare electromagnetism 2a, gravity 3a(2), weak force

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Recent Examples of strong force from the Web

But in microgravity, things change. Light becomes a stronger force.

— randy rieland, Smithsonian, "If Humans Want To Colonize Other Planets, We Need To Perfect Space Cuisine," 28 Mar. 2018
Parties of the centre-right and right that are sceptical of the accord will be the strongest force in the new congress.

— The Economist, "The contenders to succeed Colombia’s peacemaking president," 15 Mar. 2018
The fashion industry has also been a strong force in the recent expansion of the anti-fur movement.

— lauren alexis fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "San Francisco Becomes Largest U.S. City To Ban Fur," 21 Mar. 2018
The conservancy holds title or easements to nearly 60,000 acres of land in Pennsylvania and Delaware and remains a strong force in determining how land in the region should be developed.

— thomas hine, Philly.com, "Frolic Weymouth, the man who branded the Brandywine, gets an art show of his own," 15 Mar. 2018
Throughout her career, Allred has taken on Donald Trump, Cosby and Harvey Weinstein and become a strong force in the #MeToo movement.

— lexy perez, The Hollywood Reporter, "Gloria Allred Documentary Trailer Teases Powerful Fight for Women," 15 Jan. 2018
But there is a very strong force with Dwayne Johnson.

— jake coyle, The Seattle Times, "‘Jumanji’ tops ‘The Post,’ ‘The Commuter’ at MLK box office," 14 Jan. 2018
Nor does it get involved with the strong force—the one that holds atomic nuclei together.

— The Economist, "Particle physicsFundamental physics is frustrating physicists," 13 Jan. 2018
The reaction that lights up the sun relies on gravity squeezing together protons and proton-neutron pairs tightly enough that the strong force clumps them into triplets and quadruplets.

— charlie wood, The Christian Science Monitor, "Fusion breakthrough explained: What are quarks again?," 11 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strong force.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.