observable
American-
A measurable property of a physical system, such as mass or momentum. In quantum mechanics, observables correspond to mathematical operators used in the calculation of measurable quantities. Operators that do not commute, having a nonzero commutator, correspond to observables that cannot be precisely measured at the same time, such as momentum and position.
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See also uncertainty principle
Other Word Forms
- nonobservable adjective
- nonobservably adverb
- observability noun
- observableness noun
- observably adverb
- unobservable adjective
Etymology
Origin of observable
1600–10; < Latin observābilis remarkable, equivalent to observā ( re ) to observe + -bilis -ble
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So that factual observable measure would be misleading in terms of how much democracy you have.
From Salon
Although researchers have suggested ways to spot naked singularities—observable signs that could distinguish them from black holes—astronomers have not yet seen any evidence of them.
From Scientific American
Gamow, on the other hand, believed that all matter was created in a hot, dense state, billions of years ago, when the observable universe was far smaller.
From Scientific American
Lu’s project, Self Evolution, was awarded an honorable mention and transforms the inner workings of the mind into an immersive video and performance—an observable spectacle.
From Scientific American
Compared with the beginning of the year and with 2020, there was an observable dip in the volume of misinformation in May and June.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
