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
Examples of observatory in a Sentence
the observatory is located on a mountaintop
Recent Examples on the Web
Article continues below NASA's Hubble Space Telescope first imaged the nebula in 1999, before the observatory was upgraded with its Wide Field Camera 3.
—
Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The observatory runs ticketed nightly observing sessions as well as the chance to experience Kitt Peak as a visiting astronomer, with all-night access to its public telescopes and accommodations in the stargazing hub’s dorm rooms.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
The observatory later shared images from its SkyCam and HamCam2 cameras, showing the meteor as a greenish streak moving from north to south.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
However, a binding agreement hammered out with residents more than 20 years ago limits building heights, which would prevent them from adding two stories at Anderson Parking without eliminating the building’s rooftop observatory.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observatory
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Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The observatory runs ticketed nightly observing sessions as well as the chance to experience Kitt Peak as a visiting astronomer, with all-night access to its public telescopes and accommodations in the stargazing hub’s dorm rooms.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026
The observatory later shared images from its SkyCam and HamCam2 cameras, showing the meteor as a greenish streak moving from north to south.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
However, a binding agreement hammered out with residents more than 20 years ago limits building heights, which would prevent them from adding two stories at Anderson Parking without eliminating the building’s rooftop observatory.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observatory
Cite this Entry
“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observatory. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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