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 plural
facilities for study
The resort has a wide range of facilities for young and old alike.
(2)
: lavatory sense 2
—often 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.
Quaternary sanitizer is used in the facility, however, test strips to test the strength of this chemical are not available in the facility. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 The city of Wichita said all events at the facility have been canceled for now. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026 These towns generally require residents to either compost on-site, use a private waste hauler or bring leaves directly to a local transfer station or regional composting facility. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 The task force wondered why a sports facility at a state university wouldn’t be funded by state appropriations and university boosters’ clubs. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 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
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