facility

[ fuh-sil-i-tee ]

noun

, plural fa·cil·i·ties.

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. Often facilities. Informal. 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 Words From

• non·fa·cil·i·ty noun plural nonfacilities
• o·ver·fa·cil·i·ty 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

They had all watched proceedings and given evidence from a remote evidence facility throughout the trial.

From BBC

“This reflects the lived reality of the class members in this lawsuit: The problems at FCI Dublin were not unique to that facility, and the BOP has failed people in its custody across the country.”

From Los Angeles Times

In the first stage, testing will occur at all dairy processing facilities within a given state, allowing the federal agency to determine if and where the virus is residing.

From Los Angeles Times

He warned Israel against attacking Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the consequences would be "very, very serious indeed" in terms of Tehran's retaliation and the potential spread of radiation.

From BBC

No scheduled sports activities at outdoor facilities will go ahead on Saturday.

From BBC

Related Words

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