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
The range of wavelengths your observatory is sensitive to.
—
Big Think, 20 Mar. 2025
If approved, China’s ambitious project could be the first operational lunar radio observatory.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2025
Well, on March 7, 2023, two NASA observatories — Swift and Fermi — detected a long-period gamma-ray burst that endured for about 200 seconds, definitively in the long-period class.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2025
The observatory cautioned residents to stay indoors and to wear masks outside if ash is present.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 20 Mar. 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.
Big Think, 20 Mar. 2025
If approved, China’s ambitious project could be the first operational lunar radio observatory.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2025
Well, on March 7, 2023, two NASA observatories — Swift and Fermi — detected a long-period gamma-ray burst that endured for about 200 seconds, definitively in the long-period class.
—Big Think, 20 Mar. 2025
The observatory cautioned residents to stay indoors and to wear masks outside if ash is present.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 20 Mar. 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 19 Apr. 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