Definition of FACILITATED (original) (raw)
: to make (something) easier
programs that facilitate access to health care
: such as
a
: to help bring (something) about
His campaign emphasized a variety of ways the federal government could help facilitate economic growth …—
Mead Gruver
Over the past two decades, the city has explored and made attempts to facilitate development of affordable housing on city-owned lots downtown.—Ryan Stanton
b
: to help (something, such as a discussion) run more smoothly and effectively
The meeting included the full accountability team formed by the university, and the university facilitated the meeting, … sharing progress on initiatives underway …—Kayla Lasure
Did you know?
English isn’t always easy, but the origin of facilitate is nothing but: the word traces back to the Latin adjective facilis, meaning "easy." Other descendants of facilis in English include facile ("easy to do"), facility ("the quality of being easily performed"), faculty ("ability"), and difficult (from dis- plus facilis, which equals "not easy"). English isn’t the only Latin-influenced language that has facilis to thank for "easy" words: the word for "easy" is fácil in both Spanish and Portuguese, and facile in both Italian and French. The way that facilitating something makes it "easy" (or "easier," as it were) can be likened to paving a road to make traveling to one’s destination smoother. Similarly, when we say, for example, that applying a healthy layer of mulch around the base of a newly planted tree facilitates robust growth, we mean that it (figuratively) paves the way for, or brings about, the sapling’s success.
Synonyms
Examples of facilitate in a Sentence
The strength of the inner identities that black women forged and nurtured during slavery facilitated the transition to freedom. —Darlene Clark Hine, Lure and Loathing, 1993 What physical events might have facilitated the evolution of macroscopic animals? —Andrew H. Knoll, Scientific American, October 1991 Nothing so facilitates writing as actually having something to say, yet the conditions under which, and the tools with which, writing is done can contribute to facility—or to difficulty. —Joseph Epstein, The Middle of My Tether, 1983
Cutting taxes may facilitate economic recovery. Her rise to power was facilitated by her influential friends. The moderator's role is to facilitate the discussion by asking appropriate questions.
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.
In reality, these subjects share key foundations that can facilitate more effective learning. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 On Thursday, Allen offered additional detail on how that connection was initially facilitated, mentioning Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell and former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (now the New York Jets head coach) as part of the bridge-building process. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025 Israel remains committed to facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza in accordance with international law and the framework for the hostage release. —Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025 Gorgeous Doll uploaded her own post, claiming to be the victim in question while accusing Latto of knowingly facilitating the assault despite having knowledge of her pregnancy. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for facilitate 
Word History
Etymology
probably from Middle French faciliter "to make easy" (borrowed from Italian facilitare, verbal derivative of facilità facility) + -ate entry 4
First Known Use
1599, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of facilitate was in 1599
Dictionary Entries Near facilitate
Cite this Entry
“Facilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facilitate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 4 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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