To keep up, impose or bring into effect something, not necessarily by force.
"The new safety regulations will be enforced in all schools starting next month."
In plain English: To enforce means to make sure that rules, laws, or orders are actually followed and obeyed by everyone involved.
"The police will enforce new rules to keep traffic safe on the highway."
Usage: Use enforce to mean making rules, laws, or agreements actually happen through authority rather than physical violence. It is often confused with execute when referring to carrying out a plan, but those are distinct actions.
Example Sentences
"The police will enforce new rules to keep traffic safe on the highway."verb
"The new traffic laws will be strictly enforced by police officers starting next month."verb
"School administrators hope to enforce a dress code that encourages students to feel confident."verb
"Parents must learn how to enforce rules so their children understand boundaries clearly."verb
The word "enforce" comes from the Old French enforcier, which was derived from Late Latin infortiare. Originally, it meant to make someone strong or vigorous.