facility

noun

fa·​cil·​i·​ty fə-ˈsi-lə-tē How to pronounce facility (audio)
plural facilities
Synonyms of facility
1
: the quality of being easily performed
2
: ease in performance : aptitude
has a great facility for writing
3
: readiness of compliance
4
a(1)
: something that makes an action, operation, or course of conduct easier
—usually used in plural
facilities for study
The resort has a wide range of facilities for young and old alike.
(2)
: lavatory sense 2
—often used in plural
b
: something (such as a hospital) that is built, installed, or established to serve a particular purpose

Synonyms of facility

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Examples of facility in a Sentence

The facilities are at the end of the corridor. He had a great facility for writing. He had great facility with words. She handled the crisis with facility.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At least 12 attacks have been recorded against health facilities and teams since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 From as early as April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of ensuring that the country’s energy and infrastructure facilities are fully operational and reliably protected for the next heating season. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 Grayson has won more games and state titles than any other program this century in Georgia’s highest class, and Bryant took the Rams to their fourth championship in 2024, but Gainesville provides greater facilities and more money. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Amazon declined to comment, but its Amazon Web Services dashboard has shown a disruption in the region since an initial April 30 attack on the data center, and satellite imagery showed extensive damage to the AWS facility. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for facility

Word History

Etymology

Middle English facilite "gentleness," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French facilité "quality of being easily performed," borrowed from Latin facilitāt-, facilitās, from facilis "easy, facile" + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of facility was in 1531

Phrases Containing facility

Rhymes for facility

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Browse Nearby Words

facilities contract
facility
facing
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Cite this Entry

“Facility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facility. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

facility

noun
fa·​cil·​i·​ty fə-ˈsil-ət-ē How to pronounce facility (audio)
plural facilities
1
: freedom from difficulty : ease
handled with facility
2
: skill and ease in doing something
a great facility for writing well
3
a
: something that makes an action, operation, or activity easier
—usually used in plural
facilities for study
b
: something (as a hospital) that is put up for a particular purpose

Medical Definition

facility

noun
fa·​cil·​i·​ty fə-ˈsil-ət-ē How to pronounce facility (audio)
plural facilities
1
: the quality of being easily performed
2
: ease in performance : aptitude
3
: something (as a hospital) that is built, installed, or established to serve a particular purpose

More from Merriam-Webster on facility

Nglish: Translation of facility for Spanish Speakers

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