Observation

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Origin

From Latin observatio

Full definition of observation

Noun

1. The act of observing, and the fact of being observed.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 5, But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud,.... We began to tell her about Mohair and the cotillon, and of our point of observation from the Florentine galleried porch, and she insisted she would join us there.
• 2012, Jeremy Bernstein, A Palette of Particles, The physics of elementary particles in the 20th century was distinguished by the observation of particles whose existence had been predicted by theorists sometimes decades earlier.
2. The act of noting and recording some event; or the record of such noting.
3. A remark or comment.
• ShakespeareThat's a foolish observation.
• Alexander PopeTo observations which ourselves we make
  We grow more partial for the observer's sake.
4. A judgement based on observing.
5. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance.
• Jeremy TaylorWe are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances.

Derived terms

• observation car

Related terms

• observance
• observant
• observatory
• observe
• observer