observation

noun

ob-zur-VAY-shuhn/ˌɑbzɚˈveɪʃn̩/UKob-zuh-VAY-shuhn/ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn̩/

Pluralobservations (some meanings)

7 meanings of observation

1
noununcountable
The act of watching something carefully, or the state of being watched.
Like keeping your eyes on something to learn how it works.
Years of patient observation taught her how foxes behave.
The animals changed their behavior because they knew they were under observation.
Similarsurveillance, scrutiny, monitoring
Note
2
nouncountable
The act of noticing and writing down something that happens, or the note you make.
Like writing a quick note about what you saw so you don't forget it.
The nurse wrote her observation in the patient's chart.
Each scientist recorded an observation after every test.
3
nouncountable
A short remark or comment about something you notice.
Like a quick comment you share when something catches your eye.
She made a sharp observation about the team's weak defense.
His observation made everyone in the room laugh.
Similarremark, comment
Note
4
nouncountable
An opinion or conclusion you reach after watching or studying something.
Like a decision you make after watching closely for a while.
Based on weeks of watching, her observation was that sales rose on weekends.
The coach's observation was that the team played better after rest.
Similarfinding, conclusion
5
noununcountable
A period when doctors or others keep watching a person closely.
Like being watched all the time to make sure nothing goes wrong.
The doctors kept the child under observation for two days.
Police placed the house under close observation.
Similarsurveillance, monitoring
6
nouncountable
A single value that you actually get from a random process.
Like writing down the number you get each time you spin a wheel.
Each roll of the dice gives one observation.
They collected a hundred observations from the experiment.
Similarmeasurement
Note
7
noununcountable
The act of following a rule, custom, or duty as it should be done.
Like keeping a promise by actually doing what you agreed to do.
Their careful observation of the old customs impressed the visitors.
The observation of the fast lasted a full month.
Similarobservance, adherence, compliance
Oppositeviolation, breach
Note

Practice

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Origin

This word came into English long ago from French, and goes back to the Latin word observātiō. It is also made from "observe" plus "-ation".