faculty

[ fak-uhl-tee ]

noun

, plural fac·ul·ties.

1. an ability, natural or acquired, for a particular kind of action:

   a faculty for making friends easily.

   Synonyms: skill, potential, knack, aptitude, capacity

2. one of the powers of the mind, as memory, reason, or speech:

   Though very sick, he is in full possession of all his faculties.

3. an inherent capability of the body:

   the faculties of sight and hearing.

4. exceptional ability or aptitude:

   a president with a faculty for management.

5. Education.
   1. the entire teaching and administrative force of a university, college, or school.
   2. one of the departments of learning, as theology, medicine, or law, in a university.
   3. the teaching body, sometimes with the students, in any of these departments.
6. the members of a learned profession:

   the medical faculty.

7. a power or privilege conferred by the state, a superior, etc.:

   The police were given the faculty to search the building.

8. Ecclesiastical. a dispensation, license, or authorization.

faculty

/ ˈfækəltɪ /

noun

1. one of the inherent powers of the mind or body, such as reason, memory, sight, or hearing
2. any ability or power, whether acquired or inherent
3. a conferred power or right
4. 1. a department within a university or college devoted to a particular branch of knowledge
   2. the staff of such a department
   3. all the teaching staff at a university, college, school, etc
5. all members of a learned profession
6. archaic.
   occupation

Other Words From

• inter·facul·ty noun plural interfaculties adjective
• pro·facul·ty adjective
• under·facul·ty noun plural underfaculties

Word History and Origins

Origin of faculty¹

1350–1400; Middle English faculte < Anglo-French, Middle French < Latin facultāt- (stem of facultās ) ability, power, equivalent to facil ( is ) easy ( facile ) + -tāt- -ty ²; facility

Word History and Origins

Origin of faculty¹

C14 (in the sense: department of learning): from Latin facultās capability; related to Latin facilis easy

Synonym Study

See ability.

Example Sentences

There, he overcame his fears and learned to approach counselors and faculty for help.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t think I agree with almost anything the new president says,” admits Michael Mina, an epidemiologist and former Harvard University faculty member.

From Science Magazine

Before joining the Harvard faculty, he co-founded and led The Opportunity Agenda, a social justice communication lab that harnesses the power of media and popular culture to move hearts, minds and policy.

From Salon

She now wants to do Pilates after work, and the long hours she spends working and learning legalese have kept her mental faculties in check.

From Los Angeles Times

He said the cuts would be felt across all its four faculties, including sciences and health as well as arts and humanities.

From BBC

Related Words

• department
• institute
• personnel
• staff
• university