observe

verb ob·serve \ əb-ˈzərv \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: observe in a Sentence

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

Both the Queen and Meghan Markle observed a 72-second silence — one second for each victim — during their appearance.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Answers to Everything You've Been Googling About Meghan Markle and the Queen Today," 15 June 2018
My friend Joe Milana observed these are all business decisions.

— rob weinberg, Pomerado News, "Racism, vulgarity and bottom lines," 7 June 2018
My intent is not to litigate the separation of church and state, but merely to observe how strongly South Holland believes in its motto.

— ted slowik, Daily Southtown, "Slowik: Town mottos and marketing a unique window into the Southland," 10 May 2018
Prominent women’s-rights attorney Gloria Allred—whose daughter, Lisa Bloom, was once a representative of Weinstein’s—sat behind Illuzzi-Orbon during the proceeding, observing the case.

— yohana desta, HWD, "A Taciturn Harvey Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty to Rape Charges," 5 June 2018
There are no signs of the disease that a doctor can observe.

— rafal tokarz, Health.com, "The Lyme Disease Complication You Don't Know About—But Should," 31 May 2018
Visitors can wear their favorite team’s soccer jersey, visit an inflatable soccer field and observe world-class artists create graffiti outdoors at The Parlor, one of the city’s art galleries.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "ArtWauk celebrates culture, soccer in June," 29 May 2018
Remember that, if only for a moment Monday, as our grateful nation observes another Memorial Day.

— editorial from the aegis, The Aegis, "A day for remembering [Editoral]," 27 May 2018
In observing countless holes of competitive golf at Colonial since the death of the caddie races, the return of a good-natured competition between golf sherpas to the green would serve the fans well.

— mac engel, star-telegram, "Mayor helped save Colonial. Now, can she bring back the caddie races? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 27 May 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