observatory
noun
ob·ser·va·to·ry
əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtȯr-ē 
plural observatories
1
: a building or place given over to or equipped for observation of natural phenomena (as in astronomy)
also
: an institution whose primary purpose is making such observations
2
: a situation or structure commanding a wide view
Examples of observatory in a Sentence
the observatory is located on a mountaintop
Recent Examples on the Web
All across the Bay Area Monday morning in back yards, outside schools, atop office buildings and observatories people paused to watch a rare astronomical spectacle: a partial solar eclipse.
—
Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
In 2015, scientists at LIGO, an observatory whose construction had taken decades of dreaming and designing and revising, ran an experiment that within days detected those gravitational waves.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
Such findings are only possible due to the extreme sensitivity this and the other three radio telescopes at the observatory possess.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
Traveling a bit to the east from Kitt Peak, at Mount Graham International Observatory, the Vatican has an operational observatory.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
In this photo, the lidar is being shot nearly straight up from an observatory at McMurdo Station.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024
The discovery center, spanning 23,000 square feet and planned to open in the fall of 2025, will house a planetarium, observatory, exhibit hall and theater.
—The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
Water is more prevalent than previously believed, and the organic components of life are ubiquitous, according to evidence from new, powerful observatories, including the James Webb Telescope.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
As the eclipse approaches, many places like local libraries, astronomical observatories, schools and other public agencies will provide proper eyewear, often for free.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2024
Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
In 2015, scientists at LIGO, an observatory whose construction had taken decades of dreaming and designing and revising, ran an experiment that within days detected those gravitational waves.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
Such findings are only possible due to the extreme sensitivity this and the other three radio telescopes at the observatory possess.
—Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024
Traveling a bit to the east from Kitt Peak, at Mount Graham International Observatory, the Vatican has an operational observatory.
—Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
In this photo, the lidar is being shot nearly straight up from an observatory at McMurdo Station.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024
The discovery center, spanning 23,000 square feet and planned to open in the fall of 2025, will house a planetarium, observatory, exhibit hall and theater.
—The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
Water is more prevalent than previously believed, and the organic components of life are ubiquitous, according to evidence from new, powerful observatories, including the James Webb Telescope.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
As the eclipse approaches, many places like local libraries, astronomical observatories, schools and other public agencies will provide proper eyewear, often for free.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'observatory.' 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 observatory
Cite this Entry
“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observatory. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
observatory
noun
ob·ser·va·to·ry
əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
plural observatories
1
: a place or institution equipped with instruments for observation of natural objects and events (as in astronomy)
2
: a place providing a wide view
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