In fluid dynamics, the Coriolis-Stokes force is a forcing of the mean flow in a rotating fluid due to the interaction of the Coriolis effect and the wave-induced Stokes drift. This force acts on the water independently of the wind tension").[1]​.

This forcing is named after Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis and George Gabriel Stokes, two scientists of the 19th century. The first important studies on the effects of the Earth's rotation on wave motion—and the consequent forcing effects on mean ocean circulation—were carried out by Ursell and Deacon (1950), Hasselmann (1970) and Pollard (1970).[1]​.

The Coriolis-Stokes forcing in the mean circulation in an Eulerian reference frame was first given by Hasselmann (1970):[1]​.

which will be added to the common Coriolis forcing Here is the average flow velocity in an Eulerian reference frame and is the Stokes drift velocity, provided they are both horizontal velocities (perpendicular to ). Additionally, is the density of the fluid, is the vector product operator, where is the Coriolis parameter (where is the angular velocity of Earth's rotation and is the sine "Sine (trigonometry)") of the latitude) and is the unit vector in the vertically upward direction (opposite of the Earth's gravity).

Since the Stokes drift velocity is in the direction of wave propagation, and is in the vertical direction, the Coriolis-Stokes forcing is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (i.e., in the direction parallel to the wave crests "Crest (wave)"). In deep water, the Stokes drift velocity is where is the phase velocity of the wave, is the wave number, is the amplitude of the wave, and is the vertical coordinate (positive in the upward direction opposite to the gravitational acceleration).[1]​.