What does "facilitate" mean?

1. (to make easier) to make a process or activity easier to do or finish. 2. (to help bring about) to help something happen or develop. 3. (to lead a discussion) to lead a meeting or a group discussion so that people can work together well.

facilitate

US //fəˈsɪɫəˌteɪt// UK //fəsˈɪlɪtˌeɪt// fa·cil·i·tate

1 to make easier (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

to make a process or activity easier to do or finish.

to make an action or process easy or easier; to decrease the difficulty of a task.

Example

The new software will facilitate faster communication between our offices.

Example

The implementation of streamlined protocols was designed specifically to facilitate the rapid exchange of data across international research teams.
2 to help bring about (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

to help something happen or develop.

to assist the progress of or help bring about a specific result or event.

Example

The government passed new laws to facilitate economic growth.

Example

The trade agreement is expected to facilitate a significant increase in cross-border investment over the next decade.
- prevent
- stop

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3 to lead a discussion (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to lead a meeting or a group discussion so that people can work together well.

to act as a facilitator; to lead a group process or meeting without taking a side in the debate.

Example

She was hired to facilitate the workshop and help the team solve their problems.

Example

A neutral consultant was brought in to facilitate the negotiations, ensuring that every stakeholder had an equal opportunity to voice their concerns.

Origin

Anglicisation of French faciliter (“facilitate”) through -ate (verb-forming suffix), ultimately from Latin facilis.