observe

verb ob·serve \ əb-ˈzərv \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of observe

observed; observing

transitive verb

1 : to conform one's action or practice to (something, such as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with

failed to observe the law and as a consequence had to pay a fine

2 : to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage

observed the flight of the sacred geese

3 : to celebrate or solemnize (something, such as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way

observed Independence Day with a parade

4 a : to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment

observed the behavior of the children

b : to make a scientific observation on or of

observed the mating habits of the grouse

5 : to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts

… observed that the indefinite reduction of any given risk to society often brings with it an increase in other risks.
—E. L. Zebroski

6 : to utter as a remark

"The paint," she observed, "is already starting to peel."

intransitive verb

1 a : to take notice

When your teacher is demonstrating something, sit up and observe!

b : to make observations : watch

Perform your tricks, and we will observe.

2 : remark, comment

In her speech she observed on the changing climate.

—

observingly

play \əb-ˈzər-viŋ-lē\ adverb

See observe defined for English-language learners

See observe defined for kids

Examples of observe in a Sentence

The class will be observing the movements of fish.
The patient must be observed constantly.
Children learn by observing their parents and others.
The new teacher will give the lesson today and the principal will observe.
We observed a large flock of birds heading north.
He observed two children playing with marbles on the street corner.
She observed that every man in the room had removed his hat.
Few cases of the disease have been observed in humans.

Recent Examples of observe from the Web

Michael Mellone, the pastor of St. Mary of the Mills Church, which this year is observing its 175th anniversary.

— mary schneidau sullivan, Laurel Leader, "Main Street Festival kicks off with parade [Old Town]," 10 May 2018
Crane Creek Inn Waterfront Bed & Breakfast is a historic B&B that boasts beautiful grounds, observation area at the waterfront boardwalk where guests can observe manatees, bottlenose dolphin, alligators, and more than 50 species of birds.

— amy aumick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Brevard County: B&B finds success not on the beach," 6 May 2018
But among the oddities caught this season by one of those dozen-plus cameras and observed by at least one reporter has been Delino DeShields taking a moment to jot down a few notes in his little black baseball notebook.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "What is Rangers' DeShields writing in those notebooks? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 5 May 2018
Acting on a tip, McHenry County investigators conducted surveillance on a residence in Cary and observed suspicious packages being delivered, the release said.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin man charged after $65,000 in drugs, cannabis seized in raid, officials say," 2 May 2018
African traditional faiths often make people want to prolong life at all costs, observes Rabi Ilemona Ekore, a doctor at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

— The Economist, "When death is not the end," 26 Apr. 2018
Thursday all staff and students were encouraged to wear orange and on Friday the school observed a moment of silence to remember all of those who have lost their lives to gun violence.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Community news: Lemont students head to state journalism finals," 26 Apr. 2018
Alabama, like a bevy of other southern states, observes Confederate Memorial Day on the fourth Monday in April.

— angela helm, The Root, "Happy Confederate Day! On Lynching Memorials and Winning the Narrative War," 23 Apr. 2018
But the reason for the other sisters’ desire to kill themselves is never clear, past the bits and pieces of parental oppression and teenage heartbreak that the boys observe.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Why The Virgin Suicides Is Still So Resonant Today," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'observe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of observe

Middle English, from Anglo-French observer, from Latin observare to guard, watch, observe, from ob- in the way, toward + servare to keep — more at conserve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year