ob·ser·va·tion
ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən 
-zər-
1
a
: an act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law
observation of the dress code
b
: observance sense 3
The characters in her novel are based on close observation of her family.
2
a
: an act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with instruments
weather observations
b
: a record or description so obtained
Scientific observations were sent to the committee.
3
: a judgment on or inference (see inference sense 2) from what one has observed
4
obsolete
: attentive care : heed
5
: the condition of one that is observed
under observation at the hospital
observationally
adverb
: designed for use in viewing something (such as scenery) or in making observations
an observation tower
the observation platform
Synonyms
Examples of observation in a Sentence
Noun
I'm not criticizing that kind of clothing. I'm just making an observation about the style.
Her constant observations about the weather bored me.
These facts are based on close observation of the birds in the wild.
Observations made using the telescope have led to new theories.
Some interesting observations came from the study.
He recorded his observations in a notebook.
Recent Examples on the Web
Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
The team made more observations, including the Moon's slip across the Sun.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Government representatives milled around the safe, warm outside of the chamber, muttering observations, until Case crawled out, hypothermic, shaking too hard to complete the manual dexterity test but ready for his rectal temperature measurement.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
To that end, future observations with the GRAVITY instrument on the ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer will aim to determine if this black hole is pulling in matter from its surroundings, offering deeper insights into its nature and behavior.
—George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
As a member of the Solar Eclipse Safari, the professor has access to people on the path of totality who send their lay observations to the group.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
His thoughts provide unsettling context to Patterson’s observations.
—Annie Jacobsen, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
Frequent in-person observations by this news organization in recent days show the building is empty.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The Indy Zoo is encouraging people to report any animal observations people may have made.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Julia Musto, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2021
Noun
Science visualization specialists at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore stack images together and stitch observations from different instruments on the telescope.
—Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 18 Apr. 2024
The team made more observations, including the Moon's slip across the Sun.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Government representatives milled around the safe, warm outside of the chamber, muttering observations, until Case crawled out, hypothermic, shaking too hard to complete the manual dexterity test but ready for his rectal temperature measurement.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
To that end, future observations with the GRAVITY instrument on the ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer will aim to determine if this black hole is pulling in matter from its surroundings, offering deeper insights into its nature and behavior.
—George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
As a member of the Solar Eclipse Safari, the professor has access to people on the path of totality who send their lay observations to the group.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
His thoughts provide unsettling context to Patterson’s observations.
—Annie Jacobsen, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
Frequent in-person observations by this news organization in recent days show the building is empty.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The Indy Zoo is encouraging people to report any animal observations people may have made.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Other pre-observation activities and further tests are set to be conducted this week.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'observation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near observation
Cite this Entry
“Observation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observation. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
observation
noun
ob·ser·va·tion
ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən, -zər-
1
: the noting of a fact or occurrence (as in nature) often involving the measurement of some magnitude with suitable instruments
temperature observations
also
: a record so obtained
2
: close watch or examination (as to monitor or diagnose a condition)
postoperative observation
psychiatric observation
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