faculty
faculty Lexical Profile
faculty Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An inherent mental or physical power, capacity, or natural aptitude for a particular activity.
"Even in his nineties, the retired professor retained all his mental faculties and a sharp sense of humor."
North American The teaching and administrative staff of a university, college, or school viewed collectively.
"The university faculty voted overwhelmingly to approve the new interdisciplinary curriculum."
British A group of related university departments or a major academic division within a university focused on a specific branch of learning.
"She was appointed dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the beginning of the academic year."
An official license, authorization, or dispensation granted by an ecclesiastical authority to perform an action or hold an office.
"The parish council had to petition the diocese for a faculty before making structural alterations to the historic church."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, 'faculty' typically refers collectively to the teaching and administrative staff of a university or school, whereas in British and Commonwealth English, it primarily denotes an academic division or department (such as the Faculty of Law).
• Rhymes for faculty
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French faculte, from Latin facultas ('power, capability, opportunity'), derived from facilis ('easy to do'), ultimately from the verb facere ('to make or do').