enforcement

[en-fawrs-muhnt, -fohrs-]

noun

1. the act or process of enforcing.

2. something that enforces.

Other Word Forms

• nonenforcement noun
• preenforcement noun
• proenforcement adjective
• superenforcement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enforcement¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French. See enforce, -ment

Example Sentences

It’s unclear why law enforcement wanted to examine the devices, what their analysis found or whether Ingrassia’s intervention hindered any investigation.

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His vehicle was identified late Monday night and an alert was sent to local law enforcement agencies.

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Sacramento County sheriff’s officials said Dalmin Muran, 29, was arrested Nov. 11 on multiple weapons charges after investigators found a large cache of weapons at his home, along with law enforcement patches and tactical gear.

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But such measures often trigger unintended consequences - from thriving black markets and deaths from illicit brews, to enforcement challenges that drain state resources.

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He returned and informed his mother and sister that the boyfriend had called law enforcement.

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Related Words

• administration 
• application 
• imposition 
• prosecution