facilitate

[ fuh-sil-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, fa·cil·i·tat·ed, fa·cil·i·tat·ing.

1. to make easier or less difficult; help forward (an action, a process, etc.):

   Careful planning facilitates any kind of work.

2. to lead or moderate (a discussion, workshop, etc.), especially as a person trained to do so:

   An instructor will facilitate the online discussions, providing students with the questions beforehand.

3. to assist the progress of (a person).

facilitate

/ fəˈsɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. tr to make easier; assist the progress of

Derived Forms

• faˈcilitative, adjective
• faˈciliˌtator, noun

Other Words From

• fa·cil·i·ta·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of facilitate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; facilit(y) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“The government is trying to facilitate investigations.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Naga forum has formed a group called Recover, Restore and Decolonise under anthropologists Dolly Kikon and Arkotong Longkumer to facilitate returns.

From BBC

"Our fMRI data suggest that motor tasks practiced before a nap become more automated during sleep. By decreasing activation in key brain regions, such as the anterior cingulate and cerebellum, napping may facilitate a smoother, less effortful retrieval of learned motor sequences."

From Science Daily

“In the Agencies’ view, renewing and expanding repair-related exemptions would promote competition in markets for replacement parts, repair, and maintenance services, as well as facilitate competition in markets for repairable products,” the comment read.

From Salon

Unrwa put out a separate statement on X that accused Israeli authorities of continuing to “disregard their legal obligations under international law to ensure the population's basic needs are met and to facilitate the safe delivery of aid”.

From BBC

Related Words

• aid
• ease
• expedite
• further
• help
• promote
• simplify
• speed