Entry Word: observe

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to act according to the commands of <you must observe all the rules of this school, not simply the ones that meet with your personal approval> — see obey
2 to act properly in relation to <a time when few people in New England observed Christmas> — see keep 1
3 to keep one's eyes on <happily spent many hours observing the birds at the backyard feeder> — see watch 1
4 to make a statement of oneʼs opinion <“I think you might be mistaken,” he observed> — see remark 1
5 to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes <she observed that the weather had changed again> — see see 1
6 to take notice of and be guided by <generally observes the suggestions of the experts regarding baby care> — see heed 1