Observation is the action or process of carefully watching someone or something.
...careful observation of the movement of the planets. [+ of]
In hospital she'll be under observation all the time.
Synonyms: watching, study, survey, review More Synonyms of observation
2. countable noun
An observation is something that you have learned by seeing or watching something and thinking about it.
This book contains observations about the causes of addictions. [+ about]
Synonyms: comment, finding, thought, note More Synonyms of observation
3. countable noun
If a person makes an observation, they make a comment about something or someone, usually as a result of watchinghow they behave.
'You're an obstinate man,' she said. 'Is that a criticism,' I said, 'or just an observation?'.
Synonyms: remark, thought, comment, statement More Synonyms of observation
4. uncountable noun
Observation is the ability to pay a lot of attention to things and to notice more about them than most people do.
She has good powers of observation.
More Synonyms of observation
observation in British English
(ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act of observing or the state of being observed
2.
a comment or remark
3.
detailed examination of phenomena prior to analysis, diagnosis, or interpretation
the patient was under observation
4.
the facts learned from observing
5. an obsolete word for observance
6. nautical
a.
a sight taken with an instrument to determine the position of an observer relative to that of a given heavenly body
b.
the data so taken
Derived forms
observational (ˌobserˈvational)
adjective
observationally (ˌobserˈvationally)
adverb
observation in American English
(ˌɑbzərˈveɪʃən)
noun
1. Originally
observance, as of laws, customs, etc.
2.
a.
the act, practice, or power of noticing
b.
something noticed
3.
the fact of being seen or noticed
seeking to avoid observation
4.
a.
the act or practice of noting and recording facts and events, as for some scientific study
b.
the data so noted and recorded
5.
a comment or remark based on something observed
6.
a.
the act of determining the altitude of the sun, a star, etc., in order to find a ship's position at sea
b.
the result obtained
adjective
7.
for observing
SIMILAR WORDS: reˈmark
Word origin
ME observacioun < L observatio, in LL(Ec), reverence, outward display
COBUILD Collocations
observation
acute observation
astronomical observation
careful observation
interesting observation
interesting observations
sharp observation
weather observation
wry observation
wry observations
Examples of 'observation' in a sentence
observation
He also makes astute observations about his colleagues at the department of trade.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We embark on a seemingly endless series of gently satirical observations and anecdotes about the zany world of activism.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The jokes were funny; the observations about single life refreshing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
On a hill overlooking the road, a British army observation post has been dismantled and replaced with a mobile phone mast.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The observation deck was the only part of the tower to be opened so far.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The observation that most people are fairly happy seems less surprising from a biological perspective.
Paul Martin MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)
The gentle humour and sharp observation make the stories hard to put down.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The answer is that all we can rely on is careful observation of statistics and common sense.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The best reaction is not to be aggressive but to make an observation on the behaviour.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
He made his way up to the observation deck.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
He made the important observation that bright people often had bright offspring.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
Sharp observation ensures that the stories rarely drop into sentimentality.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The most interesting observation about the cuts is that they have not led to the calamity that critics predicted.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
No sooner had he completed the purchase than surveillance teams set up observation posts and placed cameras overlooking the property.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Seeking out the Iberian meeting places requires a good deal of detailed observation and help from insiders.
Ogden, Philip E & White, Paul E (eds.) Migrants in Modern France: Population Mobility in the Later Nineteenth and TwentiethCenturies (1989)
His study required him to keep detailed observations, so the staff often saw him writing notes.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Some of his observations about the Egyptian capital and its people are wonderfully apt.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Use careful observation and make quick, frequent sketches to get the basic form.
Bennett, Darren Learn to Draw Cats (1999)
There are manned observation points on shores all over the country, and you are welcome to join them.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Symptoms include a stubborn refusal to act, combined with a strong preference for observation and criticism rather than participation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a limit to language if language here is understood as the totality of available procedures for observation, interpretation, description and explanation.
Wood, David Philosophy at the Limit (1990)
In other languages
observation
British English: observation NOUN
Observation is the action or process of carefully watching someone or something.
...careful observation of the movement of the planets.
American English: observation
Brazilian Portuguese: observação
Chinese: 观察
European Spanish: observación
French: observation
German: Beobachtung
Italian: osservazione
Japanese: 観察
Korean: 관찰
European Portuguese: observação
Latin American Spanish: observación
Chinese translation of 'observation'
observation
(ɔbzəˈveɪʃən)
n
(c) (= remark) 评(評)论(論) (pínglùn) (篇, piān)
(u) (= act of observing) 观(觀)察 (guānchá)
(u) (Med) 观(觀)察 (guānchá)
powers of observation观(觀)察力 (guānchálì)
she's under observation她受到严(嚴)密监(監)视(視) (tā shòudào yánmì jiānshì)
1 (noun)
Definition
detailed examination of something before analysis, diagnosis, or interpretation
careful observation of the movement of the planets
Synonyms
watching
study
the use of maps and visual evidence in the study of local history
survey
She gave the newspaper a quick survey.
review
a review on the training and education of over-16s
notice
Nothing that went on in the hospital escaped her notice.
investigation
He ordered an investigation into the affair.
monitoring
attention
He turned his attention to the desperate state of housing in the province.
consideration
He said there should be careful consideration of the company's future role.
examination
They have taken the documents away for examination.
inspection
A routine inspection of the vessel turned up 50 kg of the drug.
scrutiny
His private life came under media scrutiny.
surveillance
He was arrested after being kept under constant surveillance.
contemplation
I was lost in contemplation of the landscape.
cognition
perusal
a quick perusal of the situations-vacant column
2 (noun)
Definition
a comment or remark
This book contains observations about the nature of outer space.
Synonyms
comment
He had added a few comments in the margin.
finding
thought
note
See note 16 on page 223.
statement
He now disowns that statement, saying he was depressed when he made it.
opinion
remark
explanation
his lucid explanation of the mysteries of cricket
reflection
exposition
Her speech was an exposition of her beliefs in freedom and justice.
utterance
pronouncement
annotation
He supplied annotations to 15,000 musical works.
elucidation
a work devoted to the elucidation of James Joyce's greatest novel
obiter dictum (Latin)
3 (noun)
Definition
a comment or remark
Is that a criticism or just an observation?
Synonyms
remark
She has made outspoken remarks on the issue.
thought
It is my thought that the situation will be resolved.
comment
He made these comments at a news conference.
statement
opinion
reflection
After days of reflection she decided to write back.
assertion
assertions that the recession is truly over
utterance
the Queen's public utterances
animadversion
4 (noun)
strict observation of oil quotas
Synonyms
observance of
attention to
compliance with
notice of
honouring of
adherence to
fulfilment of
discharge of
heeding of
carrying out of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of annotation
He supplied annotations to 15,000 musical works.
Synonyms
note,
comment,
explanation,
observation,
interpretation,
illustration,
commentary,
gloss,
footnote,
exegesis,
explication,
elucidation
in the sense of assertion
Definition
a positive statement, usually made without evidence
assertions that the recession is truly over
Synonyms
statement,
claim,
allegation,
profession,
declaration,
contention,
affirmation,
pronouncement,
avowal,
attestation,
predication,
asseveration (formal)
in the sense of attention
Definition
concentrated direction of the mind
He turned his attention to the desperate state of housing in the province.
Synonyms
thinking,
thought,
mind,
notice,
consideration,
concentration,
observation,
scrutiny,
heed,
deliberation,
contemplation,
thoughtfulness,
attentiveness,
ATTN,
intentness,
heedfulness
Synonyms of 'observation'
observation
Explore 'observation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of consideration
Definition
careful thought
He said there should be careful consideration of the company's future role.
Synonyms
thought,
study,
review,
attention,
regard,
analysis,
examination,
reflection,
scrutiny,
deliberation,
contemplation,
perusal,
cogitation
in the sense of contemplation
I was lost in contemplation of the landscape.
Synonyms
observation,
viewing,
looking at,
survey,
examination,
inspection,
scrutiny,
gazing at
in the sense of elucidation
a work devoted to the elucidation of James Joyce's greatest novel
Synonyms
clarification,
comment,
explanation,
interpretation,
illustration,
commentary,
gloss,
exposition,
illumination,
annotation,
explication
in the sense of examination
Definition
the act of examining
They have taken the documents away for examination.
Synonyms
inspection,
testing,
study,
research,
trial,
checking,
review,
survey,
investigation,
analysis,
consideration,
observation,
going-over (informal),
vetting,
scrutiny,
appraisal,
interrogation,
assay,
perusal,
recce (slang)
in the sense of explanation
Definition
a detailed account or description
his lucid explanation of the mysteries of cricket
Synonyms
description,
report,
definition,
demonstration,
teaching,
resolution,
interpretation,
illustration,
clarification,
exposition,
simplification,
explication,
elucidation
in the sense of exposition
Definition
a systematic explanation of a subject
Her speech was an exposition of her beliefs in freedom and justice.
Synonyms
explanation,
account,
description,
interpretation,
illustration,
presentation,
commentary,
critique,
exegesis,
explication,
elucidation
in the sense of inspection
A routine inspection of the vessel turned up 50 kg of the drug.
Synonyms
check,
search,
investigation,
review,
survey,
examination,
scan,
scrutiny,
supervision,
surveillance,
look-over,
once-over (informal),
checkup,
recce (slang),
superintendence
in the sense of investigation
Definition
a careful search or examination in order to discover facts
He ordered an investigation into the affair.
Synonyms
examination,
study,
inquiry,
hearing,
research,
review,
search,
survey,
analysis,
probe,
inspection,
exploration,
scrutiny,
inquest,
fact finding,
recce (slang)
in the sense of note
Definition
a critical comment or explanation in a book
See note 16 on page 223.
Synonyms
annotation,
comment,
remark,
gloss
in the sense of notice
Definition
observation or attention
Nothing that went on in the hospital escaped her notice.
Synonyms
attention,
interest,
note,
regard,
consideration,
observation,
scrutiny,
heed,
cognizance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of perusal
a quick perusal of the situations-vacant column
Synonyms
read,
study,
check,
examination,
inspection,
scrutiny,
browse,
look through
in the sense of reflection
Definition
careful or long consideration
After days of reflection she decided to write back.
Synonyms
consideration,
thinking,
pondering,
deliberation,
thought,
idea,
view,
study,
opinion,
impression,
observation,
musing,
meditation,
contemplation,
rumination,
perusal,
cogitation,
cerebration
in the sense of review
Definition
a general survey or report
a review on the training and education of over-16s
Synonyms
survey,
report,
study,
analysis,
examination,
scrutiny,
perusal
in the sense of scrutiny
Definition
very careful study or observation
His private life came under media scrutiny.
Synonyms
examination,
study,
investigation,
search,
inquiry,
analysis,
inspection,
exploration,
sifting,
once-over (informal),
perusal,
close study
in the sense of statement
Definition
something stated, usually a formal prepared announcement or reply
He now disowns that statement, saying he was depressed when he made it.
Synonyms
announcement,
declaration,
communication,
explanation,
communiqué,
proclamation,
utterance
in the sense of study
Definition
an investigation and analysis of a particular subject
the use of maps and visual evidence in the study of local history
Synonyms
examination,
investigation,
analysis,
consideration,
inspection,
scrutiny,
contemplation,
perusal,
cogitation
in the sense of surveillance
Definition
close observation of a person suspected of being a spy or a criminal
He was arrested after being kept under constant surveillance.
Synonyms
observation,
watch,
scrutiny,
supervision,
control,
care,
direction,
inspection,
vigilance,
superintendence,
dataveillance
in the sense of survey
She gave the newspaper a quick survey.
Synonyms
examination,
inspection,
scrutiny,
overview,
once-over (informal),
perusal
in the sense of thought
Definition
a concept or idea
It is my thought that the situation will be resolved.