ob
Ob (noun) means a short informal way of saying "observation," especially in medical or scientific settings. Example: “The nurse put the patient under ob for a few hours after surgery.”
How to use ob
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA clipped, informal short form used mainly for "observation" or "objection" depending on context.
Jargon-like shorthand — common in medical charts and debate slang, not standard writing.
Word forms
obs plural, obs plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurse put the patient under _____ for a few hours after surgery.
Etymology
From Latin ob, originally an abbreviation of obolus, a small ancient coin; the modern shortened senses (observation, objection) are simply clipped forms of the longer English words.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “ob” mean?
The word “ob” means a short informal way of saying "observation," especially in medical or scientific settings. In plain terms, a clipped, informal short form used mainly for "observation" or "objection" depending on context.
How do you pronounce “ob”?
“Ob” is pronounced ob (/ɒb/ in IPA).
How do you use “ob” in a sentence?
Here is “ob” used in a sentence: “The nurse put the patient under ob for a few hours after surgery.”
What part of speech is “ob”?
“Ob” is a noun.
Where does the word “ob” come from?
The word “ob” comes from Latin. From Latin ob, originally an abbreviation of obolus, a small ancient coin; the modern shortened senses (observation, objection) are simply clipped forms of the longer English words.
Is “ob” a common word?
“Ob” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ob” have?
“Ob” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short informal way of saying "observation," especially in medical or scientific settings.
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