observatory
noun
ob·ser·va·to·ry
əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtȯr-ē 
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
Owing in large part to Sabine, the British government financed the construction of magnetic observatories around the empire.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
This early indication of planets in the TOI-2267 system prompted the team to get ready for more observations with several other observatories.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Another major observatory is Russia’s Baikal-GVD, the first large neutrino telescope placed in natural water, anchored beneath the ice of Lake Baikal in Siberia.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Picture yourself in an old observatory on a crisp, starry autumn night—bronze instruments glinting in the dim light, surrounded by aged leather and parchment maps.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observatory
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
This early indication of planets in the TOI-2267 system prompted the team to get ready for more observations with several other observatories.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Another major observatory is Russia’s Baikal-GVD, the first large neutrino telescope placed in natural water, anchored beneath the ice of Lake Baikal in Siberia.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Picture yourself in an old observatory on a crisp, starry autumn night—bronze instruments glinting in the dim light, surrounded by aged leather and parchment maps.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observatory
Cite this Entry
“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observatory. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
observatory
noun
ob·ser·va·to·ry
əb-ˈzər-və-ˌtōr-ē
-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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share