facilitate

American

[fuh-sil-i-teyt] / fəˈsɪl ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

facilitated, facilitating

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

Careful planning facilitates any kind of work.
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.
to assist the progress of (a person).

facilitate British

/ fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

(tr) to make easier; assist the progress of

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

facilitative adjective
facilitator noun

Etymology

Origin of facilitate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Wicks will be stationed outside the old zoo’s location for about two each hours each day, facilitating downloads and answering questions about the self-guided experience.

From Los Angeles Times

Banks earn fees by facilitating the flow of capital.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Among other points, the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed," said the BCB.

From Barron's

The student’s current status has not been made public, and officials have not said whether any steps will be taken to facilitate their return.

From Salon

Also, last year it bought Global Blue, whose payments technology facilitates tax-free shopping.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023