Definition of 'observation'

Learner American English

observation

(ɒbzərveɪʃən )

Word forms: observations

1. uncountable noun

Observation is the action or process of carefully watching someone or something.

...careful observation of the movement of the planets.

2. countable noun

An observation is something that you have learned by seeing or watching something and thinking about it.

This book contains observations about the causes of addictions.

3. countable noun

If a person makes an observation, they make a comment about something or someone, usually as a result of watching how they behave.

Is that a criticism or just an observation?

4. uncountable noun

Observation is the ability to pay a lot of attention to things and to notice more about them than most people do.

She has good powers of observation.

observation in American English

(ˌɑbzərˈveɪʃən ; äbˌzərvāˈshən)

noun

1. Originally

observance, as of laws, customs, etc.

the act, practice, or power of noticing

something noticed

the fact of being seen or noticed

seeking to avoid observation

the act or practice of noting and recording facts and events, as for some scientific study

the data so noted and recorded

a comment or remark based on something observed

the act of determining the altitude of the sun, a star, etc., in order to find a ship's position at sea

the result obtained

adjective

for observing

SIMILAR WORDS: reˈmark

Word origin of 'observation'

ME observacioun < L observatio, in LL(Ec), reverence, outward display

observation

(ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃən )

noun

the act of observing or the state of being observed

a comment or remark

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

the patient was under observation

the facts learned from observing

5. an obsolete word for observance

6. nautical

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

the data so taken

Derived forms

observational (ˌobserˈvational)

adjective

observationally (ˌobserˈvationally)

adverb

Example sentences containing 'observation'

The observation deck was the only part of the tower to be opened so far. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Police said victims were taken to hospitals for observation and had recovered. The Sun (2015)The observation that most people are fairly happy seems less surprising from a biological perspective. Paul Martin MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)The gentle humour and sharp observation make the stories hard to put down. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The answer is that all we can rely on is careful observation of statistics and common sense. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The best reaction is not to be aggressive but to make an observation on the behaviour. Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)He made his way up to the observation deck. Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)Mum and baby went home after a night of observation in hospital. The Sun (2010)He made the important observation that bright people often had bright offspring. Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995) Sharp observation ensures that the stories rarely drop into sentimentality. The Times Literary Supplement (2011)The most interesting observation about the cuts is that they have not led to the calamity that critics predicted. Times, Sunday Times (2014)No sooner had he completed the purchase than surveillance teams set up observation posts and placed cameras overlooking the property. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Seeking out the Iberian meeting places requires a good deal of detailed observation and help from insiders. Ogden, Philip E & White, Paul E (eds.) Migrants in Modern France: Population Mobility in the Later Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (1989)His study required him to keep detailed observations, so the staff often saw him writing notes. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Some of his observations about the Egyptian capital and its people are wonderfully apt. Times, Sunday Times (2007)One observation post was once hit by 120 individuals. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Use careful observation and make quick, frequent sketches to get the basic form. Bennett, Darren Learn to Draw Cats (1999)There are manned observation points on shores all over the country, and you are welcome to join them. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Symptoms include a stubborn refusal to act, combined with a strong preference for observation and criticism rather than participation. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It is a limit to language if language here is understood as the totality of available procedures for observation, interpretation, description and explanation. Wood, David Philosophy at the Limit (1990)