facility

noun

fa·​cil·​i·​ty fə-ˈsi-lə-tē 

plural facilities

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

• institution
• building
• establishment
• installation
• complex
• institute

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

Ukraine is also likely to home in on Russia's military facilities vital for propping up aerospace manufacturing as part of its strike campaign on high-value Russian assets, the analysts will say. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025

Senses Spa offers spa and beauty treatments, while Senses Fitness is an exercise and wellness facility. —Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025

Ohio's Department of Youth Services will hold the teen in a locked facility until his 21st birthday. —Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2025

The pace of drone strikes has since grown to a blitz, with at least 21 of the largest 38 facilities damaged as of early October and 38% of Russia’s primary oil refining capacity down around the same time. —Suriya Jayanti, Time, 10 Nov. 2025

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

Phrases Containing facility

• correctional facility
• medical facility
• sensitive compartmented information facility

Rhymes for facility

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility
• humility

Kids Definition

facility

noun

fa·​cil·​i·​ty fə-ˈsil-ət-ē 

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 

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