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

Synonyms

• lookout
• outlook
• overlook

Examples of observatory in a Sentence

the observatory is located on a mountaintop

Recent Examples on the Web

The Cincinnati Observatory houses one of the oldest working telescopes in the world and was the first public observatory in the western hemisphere. —Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 17 May 2024

In the future, gravitational wave observatories, like the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna that is expected to launch to space in the mid-2030s, could allow scientists to measure the ripples in spacetime emanating from the merging of these two black holes and other mergers from long ago. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin observatorium, from Latin observare

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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