force field

[ fawrs feeld ]

noun

1. Physics. a field of any type of energy, such as gravitational, magnetic, or electric, that surrounds and affects something:

   Figure 2 shows the electrical force fields surrounding the positive and negative charges that produce them.

2. Chemistry. a method of calculating the amount of potential energy acting between particles, atoms, or molecules.
3. (in fantasy and science fiction) a space around a planet, spacecraft, etc., in which some kind of energy or special power operates as a barrier:

   The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains safely locked up and away from the mainland.

4. a particularly intense emotional or spiritual energy, charisma, aura, vibe, etc., that has the effect either of drawing others closer or of keeping them away:

   It’s not always safe to self-reveal—I know when I can let down my guard, and when I need to have the force field up.

   The eyes of the ancient statue glittered with an unsettling intelligence and grace, and I was captured by the force field of a powerful presence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of force field¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Classical approaches were then used to convert the results obtained from the quantum computer, reconstruct the protein with its sidechains, and perform final refinement of the structure with classical molecular mechanics force fields.

From Science Daily

Reactive force field models are relatively common, but they usually require training for specific reaction types.

From Science Daily

It was only a few years ago, though, that the first indirect evidence emerged that the various combinations of these force fields can indeed "distinguish" between the two mirror images of a molecule.

From Science Daily

The safe and inexpensive MMR shot acts kind of like a force field against other infections, too.

From Seattle Times

Its precise descriptions of force fields and antimatter cannons seemed ready-made for the screen.

From New York Times