Main Entry: ob·ser·va·to·ry

Pronunciation: \əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtȯr-ē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ob·ser·va·to·ries

Etymology: probably from New Latin observatorium, from Latin observare

Date: 1676

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