facilities

The word “facilities” means buildings, equipment, or services provided for a particular purpose. In plain terms, equipment or amenities provided for a purpose, or (informally) restrooms.

“Facilities” is pronounced fuh-SIH-lih-teez (/fəˈsɪlɪdiz/ in IPA).

Here is “facilities” used in a sentence: “The gym has excellent facilities, including a pool and sauna.”

“Facilities” is a noun.

“Facilities” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Facilities” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: buildings, equipment, or services provided for a particular purpose.

Facilities include the buildings, equipment, and services set up for a purpose. A gym's facilities might be weights, a pool, and changing rooms. A hotel's could include parking, Wi-Fi, and a restaurant. Schools, hospitals, and sports grounds all have facilities that support the activities taking place there.

The words overlap but differ in emphasis. Facilities are the buildings, equipment, and services provided to make an activity possible — car parks, laboratories, or toilets. Amenities are extra features that add comfort or pleasure, such as a spa or free breakfast. Facilities enable, while amenities enhance, though many things count as both.

Not always. Facilities often means physical buildings and equipment, but it also covers services and features. A bank may offer overdraft facilities, and software can include a search facility. In the singular, "facility" can even mean a natural skill or ease at doing something, as in "a facility for languages."

In everyday British English, "the facilities" is a polite, indirect way of referring to a toilet or restroom, especially in a public place. Asking to "use the facilities" avoids naming the toilet directly. It is one of several gentle euphemisms, alongside "washroom," "restroom," and "the ladies' or gents'."