observed; observing
1
: to conform one's action or practice to (something, such as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with
failed to observe the law and as a consequence had to pay a fine
2
: to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage
observed the flight of the sacred geese
3
: to celebrate or solemnize (something, such as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way
observed Independence Day with a parade
4
a
: to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment
observed the behavior of the children
b
: to make a scientific observation on or of
observed the mating habits of the grouse
5
: to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts
… observed that the indefinite reduction of any given risk to society often brings with it an increase in other risks.—
E. L. Zebroski
E. L. Zebroski6
: to utter as a remark
"The paint," she observed, "is already starting to peel."
1
a
: to take notice
When your teacher is demonstrating something, sit up and observe!
b
: to make observations : watch
Perform your tricks, and we will observe.
Examples of observe in a Sentence
The class will be observing the movements of fish.
The patient must be observed constantly.
Children learn by observing their parents and others.
The new teacher will give the lesson today and the principal will observe.
We observed a large flock of birds heading north.
He observed two children playing with marbles on the street corner.
She observed that every man in the room had removed his hat.
Few cases of the disease have been observed in humans.
Recent Examples on the Web
These vortices are called flux ropes, and satellites had previously observed small flux ropes—but our work helped uncover how they are generated.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
There was no foul play or drug use observed at the scene, nor were there any signs of injury or trauma.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Also in the 1920s, Edwin Hubble, along with his assistant Milton Humason, began observing individual stars in galaxies beyond the Milky Way, enabling us to measure the distances to these nebulous objects.
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
The object was then reported to the Minor Planet Center – the official authority for observing and reporting new asteroids, comets and other small bodies in the solar system – and given the name 2025 PN7.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observe
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.
JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
There was no foul play or drug use observed at the scene, nor were there any signs of injury or trauma.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Also in the 1920s, Edwin Hubble, along with his assistant Milton Humason, began observing individual stars in galaxies beyond the Milky Way, enabling us to measure the distances to these nebulous objects.
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
The object was then reported to the Minor Planet Center – the official authority for observing and reporting new asteroids, comets and other small bodies in the solar system – and given the name 2025 PN7.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observe
Cite this Entry
“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observe. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
observe
verb
ob·serve
əb-ˈzərv 
observed; observing
1
: to act in agreement with : obey
observe the law
2
: to celebrate or honor (as a holiday) with special events or customs
3
a
: to watch carefully
observed how the food was prepared
b
: to make a scientific observation of
observe an eclipse
4
: to come to understand or know especially by thinking about facts that have been noted
I have observed that it happens more often on Tuesdays
5
: to say as a remark
observed that it was a fine day and we agreed
observer
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share