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

A group of California Democrats urged the State Department in a letter Monday to facilitate the release of several Californians and other detained U.S. citizens.

From Los Angeles Times

Paramo was accused of knowingly facilitating the payment scheme with with Tabet, according to a June 3 memo to school board members detailing an internal investigation into Specialized Support Services.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement released on Thursday, India's foreign ministry said that the resumption of flights would "further facilitate people-to-people contact" between the two countries and contribute towards "gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges".

From BBC

"The focus on facilitating Ms Booth's return has come at the expense of supporting those who raised concerns," the email said.

From BBC

It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza.

From BBC

Related Words

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