plural observations
1
: a statement about something you have noticed : a comment or remark
I'm not criticizing that kind of clothing. I'm just making an observation about the style.
Her constant observations about the weather bored me.
2
a
: the act of careful watching and listening : the activity of paying close attention to someone or something in order to get information
These facts are based on close observation of the birds in the wild.
Children learn by observation.
The author's excellent powers of observation [=ability to notice and pay close attention to things] are evident in the book's detailed descriptions.
The plants seem to have recovered from the disease, but they are still under observation. [=someone is watching them carefully]
He has been under government observation [=the government has been watching him carefully] for six months.
They're keeping him at the hospital for observation [=so that doctors can watch him carefully] for another few days.
b
: something you notice by watching and listening
Observations made using the telescope have led to new theories.
Some interesting observations came from the study.
scientific observations
c
: a written or spoken report or description of something that you have noticed or studied
He recorded his observations in a notebook.
3
: the act of doing what is required by a custom, rule, law, etc. : observance
—usually + of
observation of the law
always used before a noun
: designed to be used while watching people or things
observation airplanes/helicopters
an observation deck/platform/post/tower
Cite this Entry
“Observation.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/observation. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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