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

Synonyms

• lookout
• outlook
• overlook

Examples of observatory in a Sentence

the observatory is located on a mountaintop

Recent Examples on the Web

Los Angeles police arrested a man Monday on suspicion of arson after a small brush fire broke out in Griffith Park under the observatory. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025

There had been no reports of damage to infrastructure or the observatory as of Thursday evening, Mr. Fregulia said. —Alexandra E. Petri, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Architect David Rockwell was going to do those designs with architect Ken Fulk taking on the Cloud Club and observatory on the 61st and 62nd floors, where photographer Margaret Bourke-White had kept an office. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 19 Dec. 2024

This is not the first time that the observatory, which sits on a ridge overlooking Pasadena, has come under threat. —Alexandra E. Petri, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

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

Kids 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