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

• tower
• overlook
• lookout

Examples of observatory in a Sentence

the observatory is located on a mountaintop

Recent Examples on the Web

Fun fact: James Webb Space Telescope’s exoplanet discovery While the new study marks the first time the James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a new exoplanet through direct imaging, the observatory confirmed an earlier discovery of a potential exoplanet in January 2023. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

In fact, the observatory has already identified 2,104 new asteroids in its initial datasets. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 24 June 2025

The observatory named in her honor was funded by the US Department of Energy and the US National Science Foundation. —ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025

The camera and observatory are primarily a U.S. government project, with the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation paying close to $800 million for construction of the camera and the NSF spending more than $500 million for the observatory. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 June 2025

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