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
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.
Still, Rawls noted SpaceX’s co-authored paper is only focused on one observatory and one satellite constellation under normal conditions — not when the satellites have been recently launched, are being de-orbited or going through a malfunction. PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 Most of the above is pretty standard for a high-end ranch estate, but West Creek outdoes most other spreads with an astrological observatory for stargazing, with the high elevation and dark desert setting making for easy spotting of constellations and planets. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 July 2025 Roughly 3,540 miles of cable now zigzag across 116,000 square miles of ocean to connect 150 observatories on the ocean floor. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 July 2025 Every three nights, the observatory and its 3,200 megapixel camera will make a record of the sky. Samantha Thompson, Space.com, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for observatory

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin observātōrium "place for observing celestial phenomena," from Latin observāre "to give attention, watch carefully, observe" + -tōrium, suffix of place, noun derivative from neuter of -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of observatory was in 1673

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Cite this Entry

“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observatory. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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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