observation

American  

[ob-zur-vay-shuhn] / ˌɒb zɜrˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

• observations
  plural

1. an act or instance of noticing or perceiving.

2. an act or instance of regarding attentively or watching.

3. the faculty or habit of observing or noticing.

   Synonyms:

   attention

4. notice.

   to escape a person's observation.

5. an act or instance of viewing or noting a fact or occurrence for some scientific or other special purpose.

   the observation of blood pressure under stress.

6. the information or record secured by such an act.

7. something that is learned in the course of observing things.

   My observation is that such clouds mean a storm.

8. a remark, comment, or statement based on what one has noticed or observed.

   Synonyms:

   opinion, pronouncement

9. the condition of being observed.

10. Navigation.

    1. the measurement of the altitude or azimuth of a heavenly body for navigational purposes.

    2. the information obtained by such a measurement.

11. Obsolete. observance, as of the law.

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observation British  

/ ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of observing or the state of being observed

2. a comment or remark

3. detailed examination of phenomena prior to analysis, diagnosis, or interpretation

   the patient was under observation

4. the facts learned from observing

5. an obsolete word for observance

6. nautical

   1. a sight taken with an instrument to determine the position of an observer relative to that of a given heavenly body

   2. the data so taken

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Synonym Usage

See remark.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonobservation
  noun
• preobservation
  noun
• reobservation
  noun
• self-observation
  noun
• observational
  adjective
• observationally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• observations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of observation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin observātiōn-, stem of observātiō “attention, inspection, surveillance,” from observāt(us) “watched” (past participle of observāre “to watch, regard, attend to”; see observe) + -iō -ion

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Explanation

When you take a good look at something, noticing facts or taking measurements, you are engaging in observation, something a little more intense than just a quick glance. When you share an observation, you communicate an insight. The Latin verb observāre, "to attend to," is the foundation for our word observation, which requires that you pay attention. If a hospital holds you overnight for observation, they want to keep an eye on your condition. If you have a lot of funny or interesting observations on a topic, maybe you should write a book. Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell once said, "If you make listening and observation your occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

observation observations

Responding to the observation by a participant that there was “a lot of anticipation” of such a merger, Musk called the deal “a good idea” with “a lot of merit.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

This later account contains an unusual observation that may refer to the Sun's corona.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

That’s the observation of Stuart Kaiser, head of U.S. equity trading strategy at Citi, who in a note published late Thursday said the sell-off does not yet offer a buyable dip.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

All was revealed “from close observation and deduction” and astute attention to “trifles.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

Nowhere is that observation more relevant in American society today than in an analysis of the culture of mass incarceration.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

What was missing was the vast fabric of ordinary facts and observations that humans acquire and use almost subconsciously and without which life would be unintelligible — what Lenat termed “common sense.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

Before the observations, scientists suspected that smaller TNOs would show clear evidence of repeated collisions over billions of years.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026

Rooney's novels have sold millions of copies internationally, gaining a cult following for their observations of modern relationships before the BBC television adaptation of "Normal People" brought her wider fame.

From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026

Scientists have been studying Vega Island's glaciers for decades, and satellite observations have played an important role in documenting their condition.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026

Mother made a few observations about the food, then she laughed nervously and was silent.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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Related Words

• conclusion
• consideration
• examination
• experience
• information
• inspection
• investigation
• knowledge
• measurement
• note
• perception
• remark
• research
• review
• study
• surveillance
• view

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