strong force

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

strong′ force′, [Physics.]

1. Physics the short-range attractive force between baryons that holds together the nucleus of the atom.
2. Physics Also called color force. the force between quarks. Cf. gluon, strong interaction. 

• 1965–70

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

strong′ interac′tion, [Physics.]

1. Physics the interaction between gluons and between gluons and quarks that is responsible for the strong force.

• 1945–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

strong interaction, strong force noun

1. an interaction between elementary particles responsible for the forces between nucleons in the nucleus. It operates at distances less than about 10^–15 metres, and is about a hundred times more powerful than the electromagnetic interaction
   Also called: strong nuclear interaction, strong nuclear force
   See interaction2