observation
1 of 2noun
ob·ser·va·tion ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən 
-zər-
1
a
: an act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law
observation of the dress code
b
: observance sense 3
The characters in her novel are based on close observation of her family.
2
a
: an act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with instruments
weather observations
b
: a record or description so obtained
Scientific observations were sent to the committee.
3
: a judgment on or inference (see inference sense 2) from what one has observed
broadly : remark, statement
an insightful observation
based his observations on his own research
4
obsolete : attentive care : heed
5
: the condition of one that is observed
under observation at the hospital
observational
ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl
adjective -zər-
observationally adverb
observation
2 of 2adjective
: designed for use in viewing something (such as scenery) or in making observations
an observation tower
the observation platform
Synonyms
Noun
- advertence
- advertency
- attention
- awareness
- cognizance
- consciousness
- ear
- eye
- heed
- knowledge
- mindfulness
- note
- notice
- observance
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun 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. These facts are based on close observation of the birds in the wild. Observations made using the telescope have led to new theories. Some interesting observations came from the study. He recorded his observations in a notebook. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 The plane’s nose was damaged but the pilots were able to depart on their own and were taken to a hospital for observation, Naval Base Coronado spokesperson Kevin Dixon said. Julie Watson And John Antczak, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2022 Sean McDonald pours hairy shore crab — which are native to Washington state — into a bucket for observation. Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2022 Patients stay in the hospital for a couple of days after the procedure for observation. Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 Police took the man into custody and Manlapaz said he was taken to a hospital for observation. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 Ukrainian missiles also struck at least one of the gas platforms the Russians were using for observation. David Axe, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The sheriff said all three students, who are in first, second and fifth grades, were taken to the hospital for observation. Henri Hollis, ajc, 11 Aug. 2022 Newgarden was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital Sunday night, was held there overnight for observation and released the next day. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 30 July 2022 Julia Musto, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2021 See More
Noun
The plane's nose was damaged but the pilots were able to depart on their own and were taken to a hospital for observation, Naval Base Coronado spokesperson Kevin Dixon said. CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 The plane’s nose was damaged but the pilots were able to depart on their own and were taken to a hospital for observation, Naval Base Coronado spokesperson Kevin Dixon said. Julie Watson And John Antczak, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2022 Sean McDonald pours hairy shore crab — which are native to Washington state — into a bucket for observation. Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Sep. 2022 Patients stay in the hospital for a couple of days after the procedure for observation. Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 Police took the man into custody and Manlapaz said he was taken to a hospital for observation. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 Ukrainian missiles also struck at least one of the gas platforms the Russians were using for observation. David Axe, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The sheriff said all three students, who are in first, second and fifth grades, were taken to the hospital for observation. Henri Hollis, ajc, 11 Aug. 2022 Newgarden was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital Sunday night, was held there overnight for observation and released the next day. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 30 July 2022 Adjective
Other pre-observation activities and further tests are set to be conducted this week. Julia Musto, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Adjective
Middle French, from Latin observation-, observatio, from observare
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1862, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing observation
Kids Definition
observation
noun
ob·ser·va·tion ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən
-zər-
1
: an act or the power of seeing or taking notice of something His detailed description shows great powers of observation.
2
: the gathering of information by noting facts or occurrences
weather observations
3
: an opinion formed or expressed after watching or noticing
It's not a criticism, just an observation.
4
: the fact of being watched and studied
The patient was in the hospital for observation.
Medical Definition
observation
noun
ob·ser·va·tion ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən, -zər-
1
: the noting of a fact or occurrence (as in nature) often involving the measurement of some magnitude with suitable instruments
temperature observations
also : a record so obtained
2
: close watch or examination (as to monitor or diagnose a condition)
postoperative observation
psychiatric observation
observational
adjective
as in empirical
based on observation or experience her reports on the great apes were based on firsthand observational evidence Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- empirical
- empiric
- experimental
- objective
- experiential
- existential
- factual
- actual
- material
- real
- genuine
- established
- accepted
- indisputable
- verifiable
- undeniable
- demonstrable
- tried
- provable
- tried-and-true
- hard
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- theoretical
- theoretic
- speculative
- hypothetical
- conjectural
- nonempirical
- metaphysical
- unproven
- unsubstantiated
- unempirical
- visionary
- transcendentalist