observation
ob-zuh-VAYSHN
Observation (noun) means the act of watching something carefully. Example: “Careful observation of the birds in the garden taught the children a lot about nature.”
noun
1
The act of watching something carefully.
"Careful observation of the birds in the garden taught the children a lot about nature."
"The scientist's observation of the plant lasted several weeks."
"The patient was kept in the hospital for observation overnight."
2
A remark based on something noticed.
"His only observation about the meal was that it needed more salt."
"The teacher's observation that the class seemed tired led to an earlier break."
"She made an interesting observation about the way the market was moving."
How to use observation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither watching something closely, or a comment based on what you've noticed.
Common pairings
under observation
make an observation
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Word forms
- Plural
- observations
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Careful _____ of the birds in the garden taught the children a lot about nature.
Etymology
From Middle French observacion, from Latin observatio, built on observare ("to watch").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for observation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for observation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “observation” mean?
The word “observation” means the act of watching something carefully. In plain terms, either watching something closely, or a comment based on what you've noticed.
How do you pronounce “observation”?
“Observation” is pronounced ob-zuh-VAYSHN (/ˌɑbzɚˈveɪʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “observation” in a sentence?
Here is “observation” used in a sentence: “The patient was kept in the hospital for observation overnight.”
What part of speech is “observation”?
“Observation” is a noun.
Where does the word “observation” come from?
The word “observation” comes from Latin. From Middle French observacion, from Latin observatio, built on observare ("to watch").
Is “observation” a common word?
“Observation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “observation” have?
“Observation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of watching something carefully.
What is the difference between "observation" and "observance"?
"Observation" means watching something carefully, or a remark based on what you notice, while "observance" refers to following a rule, custom, or holiday. You make an observation, but you keep an observance such as a religious festival.
What is the difference between an "observation" and an "opinion"?
An "observation" is a remark based on something actually noticed or watched, so it is grounded in fact, whereas an opinion expresses a personal belief or judgement. Saying "the room is cold" is an observation; saying "the room is unpleasant" leans toward opinion.
What are common collocations with "observation"?
"Observation" often appears in phrases such as "make an observation," "close observation," "keen observation," and "powers of observation." These reflect its two senses: careful watching and a remark based on what is noticed.
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