as in tower
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible
the observatory is located on a mountaintop
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of observatory
The last three years of close observations were made possible by a portable observatory called the Setup for the Kinematic Acquisition of Explosive Eruptions, or SKATE.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 3 Nov. 2025
Researchers at Stockholm University in Sweden and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee studied historic observatory photos to find signs of flashes of light.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Because John Herschel believed that the correlation between magnetic storms and auroras revealed both to be meteorological phenomena, the new observatories would be equipped with weather instruments that, in time, would permit the first global measurements of climate change.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
To detect these elusive particles, scientists are working to build enormous instruments (neutrino observatories) in the quietest environments possible, such as deep underwater or buried in ice.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observatory
IEEE Spectrum, 3 Nov. 2025
Researchers at Stockholm University in Sweden and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee studied historic observatory photos to find signs of flashes of light.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Because John Herschel believed that the correlation between magnetic storms and auroras revealed both to be meteorological phenomena, the new observatories would be equipped with weather instruments that, in time, would permit the first global measurements of climate change.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
To detect these elusive particles, scientists are working to build enormous instruments (neutrino observatories) in the quietest environments possible, such as deep underwater or buried in ice.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for observatory
Noun
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There’s also an observation tower in the Shark Valley area with a viewing deck that overlooks alligators, turtles, fish, and birds.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Why does Victor burn down the tower?—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Part of Kansas City’s Park and Boulevard System for more than a century, Cliff Drive was designated a Missouri Scenic Byway in 2000, a title reflected in its limestone bluffs, wooded overlooks and views of the river valley below.—
Monty Davis,
Kansas City Star,
1 Jan. 2026
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Orbit is another highlight, circling the subject to capture a full 360-degree view—perfect for summit shots or scenic overlooks.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Monroe County deputies kept a lookout for the vehicle and realized the driver had changed direction.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Drug couriers and lookouts, for example, are now eligible for shorter sentences.—
Kevin Krause,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/observatory. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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