What is defined as a push or a pull?

The term that is defined as a push or a pull is force. In physics, a force is an interaction that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object. Forces can act in various ways: they can accelerate or decelerate an object, change its direction, or even deform it. This fundamental concept is essential in understanding how physical objects interact with each other and with their environment.

Tension refers specifically to the pulling force transmitted along a string, rope, or cable when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. Torque relates to the rotational effect of a force applied at a distance from an axis of rotation, which is a more specific application than the general concept of force. Mass, on the other hand, is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and is not a force by definition. Therefore, the most accurate answer describing a push or pull in general terms is indeed force.