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Glite Dictionary
in force

in force

19 3.9
A law or rule that is active now and must be followed
  • idiom
  • Formal
translation icon : vigente
  • Emergency laws and the special courts are still in force in the nine Kurdish provinces.
  • remain in force
  • still in force
  • laws in force

With the ERM in force, the nations of Western Europe would be linked together, their currencies pegged not to gold or the dollar, but to one another.

Examples

  • More policing, tougher sentencing in force this week, Police courts, Crime and Sentencings Act.

  • A state of emergency is in force.

    Godmonster of Indian Flats (1973)

  • The agreement is currently in force and has been since 13 October 1993.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The Weregild is the oldest law still in force in any common law country.

    Blog text (25)

  • All provisions were to remain in force as long as final program rules complied with the signed agreement.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Today, the same lease is still in force, and the Observatory continues a tradition of education.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Opting-out legislation is in force in Belgium, Austria, Finland, France, and Norway.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Health-based standards promulgated under section 112 prior to November 15, 1990 remain in force until modified.

    Academic text (2001)

  • A state of emergency is in force due to the severe weather conditions.

  • The new regulations will be in force starting next month.

Synonyms

effective
vsin force
  • Formal
165 3.0

Beginning to be used from a particular date

is valid now but does not imply it produces definite results
in effect
vsin force
  • Formal
81 3.7

Currently valid and must be followed

is valid now but not necessarily being actively enforced
in operation
vsin force
24 3.2

Working now and serving its purpose

is valid now as a law or rule rather than just functioning
in full force
vsin force
16 3.6

It happens with great strength and many people taking part

is valid now without implying maximum strength or full participation
binding
vsin force
  • Formal
4.6

Required by law and able to be enforced

is valid now but does not always create a legal obligation

Antonyms

expired
43 2.1

No longer valid because its date has passed

How Effective

in full force
16 3.6
in force
  • Formal
19 3.9

Surface Forms

in force positive

Morphology

in + force

The meaning 'currently in effect' is directly compositional from 'in' (in a state/within) + 'force' (legal/effective power), so the overall sense is derivable from the constituents. This construction has close equivalents across many languages (e.g. French 'en vigueur'), making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

In force comes from the idea of force as power or strength. So when a law or rule is in force, imagine it has power behind it and is 'in effect' now.