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
observationally
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of observation in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of observation from the Web
-
Shakespeare's poetic observations inspire visual voyage through landscapes-enchanted and real, and dreams-light and dark.
-
To develop its map, NOAA incorporated just 10 years of data and relied on cloud cover information from ground observations, rather than satellite data.
-
Gillis laid wire that the forward observation post used to fire guns that were miles away.
-
Two hundred years on, Austen’s sniping observations of human vanity and folly still hit the mark.
-
Upper-level management respects my thoughts and observations, and my recommendations are considered and taken into account.
-
This is a meaningful observation since under the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause, the federal government is authorized to regulate practices that impact multiple states.
-
Only a few years later, observations of cosmic rays in the upper atmosphere discovered the first antimatter particles, confirming Dirac's hypothesis.
-
Obasohan's observations only add to the buzz about basketball that can be heard around town these days, even with summer fast approaching and football at the forefront of everyone's minds.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'observation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of observation
Middle French, from Latin observation-, observatio, from observare
observation
Definition of observation
: designed for use in viewing something (such as scenery) or in making observations an observation tower the observation platform
Origin and Etymology of observation
see 1observation
OBSERVATION Defined for English Language Learners
observation
playDefinition of observation for English Language Learners
-
: 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
observation
Definition of observation for English Language Learners
-
: designed to be used while watching people or things
OBSERVATION Defined for Kids
observation
playDefinition of observation for Students
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.
Medical Dictionary
observation
playMedical Definition of observation
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
Learn More about observation
-
See words that rhyme with observation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for observation Spanish Central: Translation of observation Nglish: Translation of observation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of observation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about observation
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up observation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!