facilitate

[fuh-sil-i-teyt]

verb (used with object)

facilitated, facilitating 

1. to make easier or less difficult; help forward (an action, a process, etc.).

   Careful planning facilitates any kind of work.

2. to lead or moderate (a discussion, workshop, etc.), especially as a person trained to do so.

   An instructor will facilitate the online discussions, providing students with the questions beforehand.

3. to assist the progress of (a person).

facilitate

/ fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to make easier; assist the progress of

Other Word Forms

• facilitative adjective
• facilitator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of facilitate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; facilit(y) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The Indian government said the resumption of flights would "facilitate people-to-people contact" and help "the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges".

Read more on BBC

The Southeast Asian nations also agreed to facilitate U.S. access to critical minerals and not impose regulations or fines that target U.S. tech firms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Staff also helped facilitate investigations into cattle deaths, which allow ranchers to claim government compensation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hours before the exchange, the detainees say they received unexpected visitors: representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross, who soon facilitated their transfer back to Gaza.

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“Instead, it is solely aimed at facilitating the annexation of a vast area,” Peace Now said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aid 
• ease 
• expedite 
• further 
• help 
• promote 
• simplify 
• speed