noun
Common
observatory
uhb-ZUR-vuht-ree
Observatory (noun) means a building equipped for watching the stars and other astronomical events, usually with a telescope. Example: “The observatory sits on a hilltop, far from the city lights.”
noun
1
A building equipped for watching the stars and other astronomical events, usually with a telescope.
"The observatory sits on a hilltop, far from the city lights."
"Students booked a night at the observatory to watch a meteor shower."
"They visited the observatory to see Saturn's rings through the telescope."
How to use observatory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA building with telescopes for watching the sky.
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Word forms
- Plural
- observatories
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The _____ sits on a hilltop, far from the city lights.
Etymology
Borrowed from French observatoire, built on the same root as observe.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for observatory
See all rhymes for observatory →Frequently asked questions
What does “observatory” mean?
The word “observatory” means a building equipped for watching the stars and other astronomical events, usually with a telescope. In plain terms, a building with telescopes for watching the sky.
How do you pronounce “observatory”?
“Observatory” is pronounced uhb-ZUR-vuht-ree (/əbˈzɝvətɔɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “observatory” in a sentence?
Here is “observatory” used in a sentence: “They visited the observatory to see Saturn's rings through the telescope.”
What is another word for “observatory”?
Words with a similar meaning to “observatory” include observatorium.
What part of speech is “observatory”?
“Observatory” is a noun.
Where does the word “observatory” come from?
The word “observatory” comes from French. Borrowed from French observatoire, built on the same root as observe.
Is “observatory” a common word?
“Observatory” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between an observatory and a planetarium?
An observatory is a building equipped with telescopes for watching stars and other real astronomical events as they happen. A planetarium, by contrast, is a facility that projects simulated images of the night sky onto a dome for education and entertainment, rather than housing equipment for direct observation.
Why are observatories usually built on mountains or in remote areas?
Observatories are commonly sited on mountains or in remote locations to minimise light pollution and atmospheric interference, which improves the clarity of astronomical observation. Higher altitudes also place telescopes above more of the turbulent lower atmosphere, further sharpening what can be seen.
What kind of equipment does an observatory typically have?
An observatory is typically equipped with one or more telescopes, often housed under a rotating dome, along with instruments for recording and analysing astronomical data. Many modern observatories also include computer systems that control the telescopes and process the observations collected.
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