observatory

noun

ob·​ser·​va·​to·​ry əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce observatory (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Caliber 135 is one of the legendary movements that entered and eventually won multiple prizes in the famous observatory chronometer competitions held in Neuchâtel and Geneva, Switzerland, as well as Kew Teddington in England, and Besançon, France, in the first part of the 20th century. Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 What's more, the observatory's images will feed into computer systems that will constantly be comparing the new images to previous ones. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025 Using the telescope in Harvard’s observatory, Payne-Gaposchkin saw the universe in a new way. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 Astronomers use these archives to plan follow-up observations by more powerful telescopes like Webb and Hubble, or with future observatories employing technologies unavailable today. Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for observatory

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin observātōrium "place for observing celestial phenomena," from Latin observāre "to give attention, watch carefully, observe" + -tōrium, suffix of place, noun derivative from neuter of -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of observatory was in 1673

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Cite this Entry

“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observatory. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

observatory

noun
ob·​ser·​va·​to·​ry əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce observatory (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on observatory

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