one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
"After years of studying neuroscience, she finally felt like her faculty for pattern recognition had sharpened enough to solve complex puzzles instantly."
The academic staff at schools, colleges, universities or not-for-profit research institutes, as opposed to the students or support staff.
"The new biology faculty member will be joining the department next month to lead our advanced genetics course."
In plain English: Faculty means the natural ability or skill to do something specific.
"The new science faculty has built a state-of-the-art laboratory for students."
Usage: Do not use "faculty" to refer to individual abilities or skills; it specifically denotes the collective body of teaching and research staff at an educational institution. When referring to a single person's capability, use words like "ability," "skill," or "aptitude" instead.
The word faculty entered English from Middle French and originally meant power or property. Over time, its meaning shifted to refer specifically to a group of teachers or the natural abilities within a person.