ob·ser·va·to·ry 
(əb-zûrvə-tôr′ē)
(əb-zûrvə-tôr′ē)n. pl. ob·ser·va·to·ries
1. A building, place, or institution designed and equipped for making observations of astronomical, meteorological, or other natural phenomena.
2. A structure overlooking an extensive view.
[French observatoire (influenced by CONSERVATORY), from observer, to observe, from Old French; see OBSERVE.]