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

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

See Examples For:

observatory observatories

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

Once fully operational, the observatory is expected to vastly expand scientists’ inventory of planets outside our solar system, increasing it from about 6,300 planets to more than 100,000.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026

In the days ahead, teams will move the Roman observatory to SpaceX's hangar at pad 39A.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

It encompassed not only the vast archives, but the university, too, together with laboratories and glasshouses, medical theaters and music rooms, and even a celestial observatory.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

This region is especially useful for powerful space observatories because it provides a favorable environment for continuously observing the universe.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 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

The short, dramatic flash it created would have been hard to catch by amateur astronomers even with high-end telescopes, but larger observatories in the Americas are analysing the information.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 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