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  

/ əbˈzɜːvətərɪ, -trɪ /

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

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Etymology

Origin of observatory

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

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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

See Examples For:

observatory observatories

“It’s pointless,” said Xavier Timbeau, an economist at OFCE, a Paris-based, state-funded economic observatory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Party founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video showing Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das being taken away by police from Jantar Mantar, a historic Delhi observatory popular for protests.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

And then I do the classic loop all the way up to the observatory and down the other side.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The collapse came during the Langtang region's fourth-hottest summer on record, according to AFP's analysis of data from Europe's Copernicus observatory dating back to 1970.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

When he realized that his observatory shook slightly in the wind, making his measurements imperfect, he moved his instruments into underground bunkers.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Several other major astronomical observatories are located in this coastal region, and some also suspended operations while the storm passed.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026

When Swift detects an outburst, it can quickly turn toward the source and alert other observatories on the ground and in space.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026

Boddington said the pub, which is in a dark sky reserve, is believed to be one of just a handful in England with their own observatories.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

It survives on aging observatories, international cooperation and a scientific community small enough to fit in a lecture hall.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

By using the wealth of skills and expertise gathered at the different volcano observatories, teams of experts work together to keep watch and send warning when a dormant volcano is about to become active.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

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