facility

American  

[fuh-sil-i-tee] / fəˈsɪl ɪ ti /

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.

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facility British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonfacility noun
• overfacility noun

Etymology

Origin of facility

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

Example Sentences

It will upgrade facilities in New York and Texas that make and service compression equipment used to move gas and liquids through pipelines.

From The Wall Street Journal

As of January 22, 40 of the 95 planned projects -- including sports facilities -- had been completed, according to the Olympic works delivery company Simico.

From Barron's

Alongside the travel support fund, the government is also promising to improve play facilities in hospitals and provide more psychological support.

From BBC

He is preparing to open a second facility in Minnesota this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

The previous guidance, dating back to 2014, said prisoners should be recorded and placed in facilities which "reflect the gender in which the person in custody is currently living".

From BBC

Related Words

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