observe
verb (used with object)
to see, watch, perceive, or notice.
was observing
-
past progressiveof observe.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In 2005, as Northern Ireland's peace process was being cemented, the group was observing a ceasefire.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
Part of the appeal was observing a celebrity up close.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
I was observing how all the members seemed to be mostly boomers and Silent Gen; then all the workers were Gen Z and millennial.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
"Given the usual tendencies of ants, I first assumed that I was observing aggression," Moffett said.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 14, 2026
She sensed that Tariq was observing her—one eye on the kiss, the other on her—as she was observing him.
From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini
