facility

[fuh-sil-i-tee]

noun

plural

facilities 

1. Often facilities

   1. something designed, built, installed, etc., to serve a specific function affording a convenience or service.

      transportation facilities;

      educational facilities;

      a new research facility.

   2. something that permits the easier performance of an action, course of conduct, etc..

      to provide someone with every facility for accomplishing a task;

      to lack facilities for handling bulk mail.

2. readiness or ease due to skill, aptitude, or practice; dexterity.

   to compose with great facility.

3. ready compliance.

   Her facility in organizing and directing made her an excellent supervisor.

4. an easy-flowing manner.

   facility of style.

5. the quality of being easily or conveniently done or performed.

6. Informal.,  Often facilities a restroom, especially one for use by the public, as in a theater or restaurant.

7. freedom from difficulty, controversy, misunderstanding, etc..

   facility of understanding.

facility

/ fəˈsɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. ease of action or performance; freedom from difficulty

2. ready skill or ease deriving from practice or familiarity

3. (often plural) the means or equipment facilitating the performance of an action

4. rare,  easy-going disposition

5. military an organization or building offering supporting capability

6. (usually plural) a euphemistic word for lavatory

Other Word Forms

• nonfacility noun
• overfacility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of facility¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English facilite, from Middle French or directly from Latin facilitās; facile, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of facility¹

C15: from Latin facilitās , from facilis easy; see _facile

Example Sentences

Animal facilities generally maintain an average temperature of 22 °C, which represents chronic cold for mice.

Read more on Science Daily

This could have an impact on the US, which has a significant rare earths mining industry but lacks processing facilities.

Read more on BBC

Then, after indicating a 16-hour time jump, the video shows Sanders walking briskly, if perhaps a little gingerly, through the Buffaloes’ indoor practice facility.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Russians also targeted a sewage treatment works outside the village and set up a command post there once the Ukrainians had abandoned the facility.

Read more on BBC

The hearing was told on Tuesday that Norris used racially abusive language in prison, according to intelligence reports from different facilities.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accommodation 
• amenity 
• equipment 
• material 
• resource 
• tool