observatory

noun

ob·​ser·​va·​to·​ry əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce observatory (audio)
plural observatories
1
: a building or place given over to or equipped for observation of natural phenomena (as in astronomy)
also : an institution whose primary purpose is making such observations
2
: a situation or structure commanding a wide view

Examples of observatory in a Sentence

the observatory is located on a mountaintop
Recent Examples on the Web But for those who want to sleep among the stars, there’s room for 14 guests to stay in a residence attached to the observatory. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Science was forever changed, thanks to an observatory in Flagstaff named after Percival Lowell, one of the first minds to explore the potential of water on Mars and theorize about undiscovered planets. Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2024 The state park typically opens the observatory to the public Friday and Saturday evenings from June through mid-October. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Take a hike: The observatory and PlanetWalk are located inside Sugarloaf Ridge State Park at 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024 The top floors of the Legends Tower will feature a public observatory and an eatery. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2024 Turrell is converting Roden Crater, a volcanic cinder cone, into a celestial observatory. The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 In it, a former priest is assigned to explore a signal from deep space that's sent to a remote observatory and just happens to summon a fearsome thorned monster to Earth through a portal. Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 14 Feb. 2024 The Pennsylvania Railroad and some of its dependencies, extending from New York to St. Louis, use Pittsburgh time, which is transmitted by electricity from the Allegheny observatory, an astronomical clock of the best construction. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'observatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin observatorium, from Latin observare

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of observatory was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near observatory

Cite this Entry

“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observatory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

observatory

noun
ob·​ser·​va·​to·​ry əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce observatory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
plural observatories
1
: a place or institution equipped with instruments for observation of natural objects and events (as in astronomy)
2
: a place providing a wide view

More from Merriam-Webster on observatory

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