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

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.
North Carolina lawmakers attempted to wrest control of the facility from Charlotte last decade due to concerns of meddling by the city. Dj Simmons july 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026 Over 150 residents of a Bradenton assisted living facility were forced to leave Saturday after a partial roof collapse, according to emergency officials. Ryan Ballogg july 27, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026 Iranian officials have said that the United States has also recently attacked facilities on the Caspian Sea. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 27 July 2026 Storm voted yes on two March bills supporting the Chiefs’ planned Kansas facilities. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 26 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Facility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facility. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

facility

noun
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
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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