observation

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noun ob·ser·va·tion \ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən, -zər-\

Definition of observation

1a : an act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law observation of the dress codeb : observance 3 The characters in her novel are based on close observation of her family.
2a : an act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with instruments weather observationsb : a record or description so obtained Scientific observations were sent to the committee.
3 : a judgment on or inference (see inference 1) from what one has observed; broadly : remark, statement an insightful observation based his observations on his own research
4 obsolete : attentive care : heed
5 : the condition of one that is observed under observation at the hospital

play \ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shnəl, -shə-n^əl, -zər-\ adjective

adverb

I'm not criticizing that kind of clothing. I'm just making an observation about the style.
Her constant observations about the weather bored me.
These facts are based on close observation of the birds in the wild.
Observations made using the telescope have led to new theories.
Some interesting observations came from the study.
He recorded his observations in a notebook.

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

First Known Use: 15th century

adjective ob·ser·va·tion

: designed for use in viewing something (such as scenery) or in making observations an observation tower the observation platform

First Known Use: 1862

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noun

: a statement about something you have noticed : a comment or remark
: the act of careful watching and listening : the activity of paying close attention to someone or something in order to get information
: something you notice by watching and listening

adjective

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noun ob·ser·va·tion \ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən, -zər-\

1 : an act or the power of seeing or taking notice of something His detailed description shows great powers of observation.
2 : the gathering of information by noting facts or occurrences weather observations
3 : an opinion formed or expressed after watching or noticing It's not a criticism, just an observation.
4 : the fact of being watched and studied The patient was in the hospital for observation.

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noun ob·ser·va·tion \ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən, -zər-\

1: the noting of a fact or occurrence (as in nature) often involving the measurement of some magnitude with suitable instruments temperature observations; also : a record so obtained
2: close watch or examination (as to monitor or diagnose a condition) postoperative observation psychiatric observation