observation

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

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Examples: observation in a Sentence

Definition of observation

1 a : an act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law

observation of the dress code

b : observance 3

The characters in her novel are based on close observation of her family.

2 a : an act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with instruments

weather observations

b : 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

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observational

play \ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl, -zər-\ adjective

—

observationally

adverb

See observation defined for English-language learners

See observation defined for kids

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

Researchers are hoping to use lifeguards’ observations and video recordings of surf conditions to better understand why and where rip currents form.

— scott dance, Washington Post, "A wider, deeper beach awaits Ocean City vacationers, but is it safe?," 1 June 2018
Through years of observation and experience, as well as plenty of reading, Ms. Brennan developed a uniquely refined palate that could tell whether a dish was even the slightest bit off.

— john pope, NOLA.com, "Ella Brennan, renowned New Orleans restaurateur, dies at 92," 31 May 2018
Put yourself in situations where you are required to put it all together, apply these skills and observations and form your own opinion everyday, and don’t just regurgitate the opinions of others.

— caroline gleich, Outside Online, "Misogyny and Sexism Will Not Defeat Caroline Gleich," 30 May 2018
None has been seen so far, but the newer simulations have patched up mismatches between observations and earlier dark matter–only simulations.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Galaxy simulations are at last matching reality—and producing surprising insights into cosmic evolution," 30 May 2018
All of this has, naturally, led to groundbreaking observations and jokes.

— jessica estepa, USA TODAY, "Yes, a sinkhole has opened up on the White House lawn," 22 May 2018
In 2015, Schuur and Schädel were co-authors on a landmark paper in Nature that synthesized the available observations and experiments.

— bridget alex, Discover Magazine, "Something Stirs: What Will Happen as Permafrost Thaws?," 15 May 2018
For example, the Hubble Space Telescope, operating since 1990, has made over 1.3 million observations and transmits around 20 GB of raw data every week, which is impressive for a telescope first designed in the 1970s.

— eileen meyer, Smithsonian, "Big Data is Transforming How Astronomers Make Discoveries," 15 May 2018
Today, his art reflects those observations and, as Gallagher says, research.

— nikki delamotte, cleveland.com, "For Cleveland's Matthew Gallagher, art and music is always in a state of research and development," 14 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

observation Synonyms

observation

adjective

Definition of observation

: designed for use in viewing something (such as scenery) or in making observations

an observation tower

the observation platform

See observation defined for English-language learners

Origin and Etymology of observation

see ¹observation

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1862

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

OBSERVATION Defined for English Language Learners

observation

noun

Definition 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