observatory

American  

[uhb-zur-vuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / əbˈzɜr vəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

noun

observatories plural

1. a place or building equipped and used for making observations of astronomical, meteorological, or other natural phenomena, especially a place equipped with a powerful telescope for observing the planets and stars.

2. an institution that controls or carries on the work of such a place.

3. a place or structure that provides an extensive view; lookout.

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observatory British  

/ -trɪ, əbˈzɜːvətərɪ /

noun

1. an institution or building specially designed and equipped for observing meteorological and astronomical phenomena

2. any building or structure providing an extensive view of its surroundings

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• observatories
  plural

Etymology

Origin of observatory

1670–80; < Latin observā ( re ) to observe + -tory ²

Explanation

An observatory is a structure that holds a large telescope for observing the stars and planets or some celestial event. If you want to check out a lunar eclipse, then head to your nearest observatory. Observatories for examining the distant sky are typically located far from large cities, since light pollution makes it more difficult to see celestial bodies like stars and planets, or events like meteor showers. Another kind of observatory is quite simply a very tall, often skinny building meant for looking down over a city or its coastline. Observatory comes from the verb observe, or "watch," which in turn is rooted in the Latin observare, "watch over or guard."

Example Sentences

Lead author Dino Chih-Chun Hsu, a researcher at CIERA, explained the significance of these measurements in a W. M. Keck Observatory press release:

From Science Daily • Jun. 13, 2026

"Today's figures are just the tip of the iceberg," Vicky Cann of Corporate Europe Observatory said, adding: "This takes place in the midst of the biggest deregulation wave ever seen in the EU."

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

On April 10, 2017, when the United Bid was officially announced, it was done from the 102nd floor of New York’s One World Observatory, the tallest building on the continent.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Dr Mihnea Cuibus, a researcher at The Migration Observatory, said there were many barriers to effectively scaling up migrant removals from the detention centre.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

As soon as he was strong enough to travel by train again, he resumed his weekly trips to Amsterdam to get Naval Observatory time.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom