Main Entry: ¹ob·ser·va·tion

Pronunciation: \ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən, -zər-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle French, from Latin observation-, observatio, from observare

Date: 1535

1 a : an act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law b : observance 3
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
3 : a judgment on or inference from what one has observed; broadly : remark, statement
4 obsolete : attentive care : heed
5 : the condition of one that is observed <under observation at the hospital>

— ob·ser·va·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— ob·ser·va·tion·al·ly adverb