First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
faculty
noun fac·ul·ty \ˈfa-kəl-tē\
: the group of teachers in a school or college
faculty : faculty members or teachers
: one of the powers of your mind or body
plural fac·ul·ties
Full Definition of FACULTY
1
: ability, power: as a : innate or acquired ability to act or do b : an inherent capability, power, or function <the faculty of hearing> c : any of the powers of the mind formerly held by psychologists to form a basis for the explanation of all mental phenomena d : natural aptitude <has a faculty for saying the right things>
2
a : a branch of teaching or learning in an educational institution b archaic : something in which one is trained or qualified
3
a : the members of a profession b : the teaching and administrative staff and those members of the administration having academic rank in an educational institution c faculty plural : faculty members <many faculty were present>
4
: power, authority, or prerogative given or conferred
See faculty defined for English-language learners
See faculty defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of FACULTY
Middle English faculte, from Anglo-French faculté, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin facultat-, facultas branch of learning or teaching, from Latin, ability, abundance, from facilis facile
Related to FACULTY
- Synonyms
- power
Synonym Discussion of FACULTY
gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something. gift often implies special favor by God or nature <the gift of singing beautifully>. faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function <a faculty for remembering names>. aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it <a mechanical aptitude>. bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability <a family with an artistic bent>. talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed <has enough talent to succeed>. genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability <has no great genius for poetry>. knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance <the knack of getting along>.
Other Education Terms
FACULTY Defined for Kids
faculty
noun fac·ul·ty \ˈfak-əl-tē\
plural fac·ul·ties
Definition of FACULTY for Kids
1
: ability to do something : talent <He has a faculty for making friends.>
2
: one of the powers of the mind or body <the faculty of hearing>
3
: the teachers in a school or college
Medical Dictionary
faculty
noun fac·ul·ty \ˈfak-əl-tē\
plural fac·ul·ties
Medical Definition of FACULTY
1
a : an inherent capability, power, or function <the faculty of hearing> <digestive faculty> b : one of the powers of the mind formerly held by psychologists to form a basis for the explanation of all mental phenomena
2
a : the members of a profession b : the teaching and administrative staff and those members of the administration having academic rank in an educational institution
Learn More About FACULTY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: faculty psychologyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: facultative reinsuranceAll Words Near: faculty
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up faculty? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).