# facilities

/fəˈsɪɫətiz/ (US) · /fəsˈɪlɪtiz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/facilities
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. amenities or equipment

noun · CEFR B1

the buildings, equipment, or services that are provided for a specific purpose.

For teachers: the physical infrastructure, equipment, or services provided to facilitate a particular activity or function.

- The hotel has excellent sports facilities, including a gym and a large swimming pool.
- The university invested millions in upgrading its research facilities to attract top-tier scientists from around the globe.

Usage: Always used in the plural form in this sense.

### 2. toilets

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a polite or formal way to say 'toilets' or 'restroom'.

For teachers: a euphemistic plural used to refer to lavatory or restroom amenities in public or professional settings.

- Excuse me, could you tell me where I can find the facilities?
- Before we begin the three-hour seminar, I will give everyone a few minutes to use the facilities and grab a coffee.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'use the facilities'.

Teaching tip: This is a very common euphemism in professional or polite social situations where saying 'toilet' might feel too direct.

## Examples

- The hotel has great sports facilities.
- The new community center offers excellent facilities for both elderly residents and young children.
- While the primary research lab is state-of-the-art, the auxiliary facilities require significant investment to meet modern safety standards and accessibility requirements.

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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.