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

The facility, Essayli said, had a non-death discharge rate of about 85%, nearly five times the national average.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

The company on Tuesday closed an $8.5 billion delayed-draw term loan facility.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Kone does much of its research underground in Lohja, Finland, in a facility sunk deep into a working limestone mine that lets engineers test travel distances of more than three football fields.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday renewed Diablo Canyon’s license to operate, ensuring that California’s last remaining nuclear facility will continue to run through at least 2030.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

The departure facility isn’t more than an old, converted ranger station beyond some gates to the National Park.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

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