# facilitate

/fəˈsɪɫəˌteɪt/ (US) · /fəsˈɪlɪtˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/facilitate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to make easier

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

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

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

- The new software will facilitate faster communication between our offices.
- The implementation of streamlined protocols was designed specifically to facilitate the rapid exchange of data across international research teams.

### 2. to help bring about

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to help something happen or develop.

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

- The government passed new laws to facilitate economic growth.
- The trade agreement is expected to facilitate a significant increase in cross-border investment over the next decade.

### 3. to lead a discussion

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- She was hired to facilitate the workshop and help the team solve their problems.
- A neutral consultant was brought in to facilitate the negotiations, ensuring that every stakeholder had an equal opportunity to voice their concerns.

## Examples

- The new software will facilitate better communication between teams.
- The moderator's role is to facilitate the discussion and ensure everyone has a chance to speak.
- Structured mentorship programs are designed to facilitate the transfer of tacit knowledge from senior executives to emerging leaders within the organization.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.