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 of observatory

• tower
• overlook
• lookout

Examples of observatory in a Sentence

the observatory is located on a mountaintop

Recent Examples on the Web

Another group of astronomers caught sight of the asteroid again, later that same year, at an observatory in Australia. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

Throughout the construction, Tony, as chief scientist, played a critical role in tackling some of the thorniest research problems, pushing the boundaries of detector and survey design and transforming a bold idea into a flagship observatory. —Risa Wechsler, Time, 15 Apr. 2026

Other possible cancellation targets include the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which after nearly a quarter century in space remains the most powerful X-ray telescope, according to NASA, and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which is similarly the most powerful observatory of its class. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026

Guests can see the observatory’s 200-inch Hale Telescope and take tours of its museum and facility. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin observātōrium "place for observing celestial phenomena," from Latin observāre "to give attention, watch carefully, observe" + -tōrium, suffix of place, noun derivative from neuter of -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for observatory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

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