More specifically, it's called normal force. Normal force is the force exerted by a surface that prevents an object from passing through it. It always acts perpendicular to the surface.
Here's why "force" is the general term:
* Force is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (how strong the push or pull is) and direction.
* Normal force is a specific type of force that acts perpendicular to a surface.
So, while "force" is the general term, "normal force" is the most accurate description of how hard an object pushes against a surface.
