observe

verb

ob·​serve əb-ˈzərv How to pronounce observe (audio)
observed; observing

transitive verb

1
: to conform one's action or practice to (something, such as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with
failed to observe the law and as a consequence had to pay a fine
2
: to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage
observed the flight of the sacred geese
3
: to celebrate or solemnize (something, such as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way
observed Independence Day with a parade
4
a
: to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment
observed the behavior of the children
b
: to make a scientific observation on or of
observed the mating habits of the grouse
5
: to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts
observed that the indefinite reduction of any given risk to society often brings with it an increase in other risks.E. L. Zebroski
6
: to utter as a remark
"The paint," she observed, "is already starting to peel."

intransitive verb

1
a
: to take notice
When your teacher is demonstrating something, sit up and observe!
b
: to make observations : watch
Perform your tricks, and we will observe.
2
: remark, comment
In her speech she observed on the changing climate.
observingly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for observe

keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed.

keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

Examples of observe in a Sentence

The class will be observing the movements of fish. The patient must be observed constantly. Children learn by observing their parents and others. The new teacher will give the lesson today and the principal will observe. We observed a large flock of birds heading north. He observed two children playing with marbles on the street corner. She observed that every man in the room had removed his hat. Few cases of the disease have been observed in humans.
Recent Examples on the Web Astronomers are, however, making tangible progress towards observing truly Earth-like planets. Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024 The agency said ahead of the whale calf's death, the animal was observed with injuries. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 The complex vertical organization of the Turkey Creek House in Dallas (1993) allowed its owners, avid birders, to observe avian visitors at various elevations. Fred A. Bernstein, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Beware serious eye damage Please, please, please do not observe the Sun with your bare eyes. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 On June 18, 2023, a vessel left shore to observe Port and Starboard, as the orcas had been reported in the area earlier that afternoon. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 There will be studies at multiple zoos in the path of the totality, which will allow a larger number of animals to be observed. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 Scientists and citizen scientists alike are planning to observe the sun’s most active regions as the moon passes over them using the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope during both eclipses. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 In the 34 cities in 10 states that researchers observed, landlords filed more than a million evictions in the previous year, including 24,500 in Columbus, Ohio, 84,196 in Houston and 124,057 in New York City. Ethan Ward, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'observe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French observer, from Latin observare to guard, watch, observe, from ob- in the way, toward + servare to keep — more at conserve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of observe was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near observe

Cite this Entry

“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observe. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

observe

verb
ob·​serve əb-ˈzərv How to pronounce observe (audio)
observed; observing
1
: to act in agreement with : obey
observe the law
2
: to celebrate or honor (as a holiday) with special events or customs
3
a
: to watch carefully
observed how the food was prepared
b
: to make a scientific observation of
observe an eclipse
4
: to come to understand or know especially by thinking about facts that have been noted
I have observed that it happens more often on Tuesdays
5
: to say as a remark
observed that it was a fine day and we agreed
observer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on observe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!