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

The next time the volcano erupts, the observatory even plans to publicly livestream the event, which has never been done before, Kelley said. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

This Hubble image is the product of three Snapshot observing programs, which are brief observations slotted into time gaps between the orbiting observatory's longer studies. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 5 May 2025

The only previous example of an r-process site that has been confirmed observationally, however, is in the collision between two neutron stars—as recorded by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave observatories back in 2017. —Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

The bright star that sits just at the edge of the prominent bluish galaxy is only 3,230 light-years away, as measured by ESA's Gaia space observatory. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 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

Rhymes for observatory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

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