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
In the aftermath, astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories around the world to track a couple of dozen pieces of the shattered comet, in what appeared to be grouped in four main clusters of icy debris.
—
Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Outfitted with the largest telescope and first overwater observatory in the Indian Ocean, there’s arguably no better place on earth to lay back and observe while letting some strong, innovative cocktails transport you to a galaxy far, far away.
—Paul Rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
The last challenge is that the very faint objects that are both intrinsically small and are located at great distances present a big challenge to any observatory that has to contend with Earth’s atmosphere.
—Big Think, 4 Feb. 2026
Experiences at Soneva Fushi are just as forward thinking, from dining in the treetops on a zipline adventure to stargazing at the Maldives’ first overwater observatory.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observatory
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Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Outfitted with the largest telescope and first overwater observatory in the Indian Ocean, there’s arguably no better place on earth to lay back and observe while letting some strong, innovative cocktails transport you to a galaxy far, far away.
—Paul Rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
The last challenge is that the very faint objects that are both intrinsically small and are located at great distances present a big challenge to any observatory that has to contend with Earth’s atmosphere.
—Big Think, 4 Feb. 2026
Experiences at Soneva Fushi are just as forward thinking, from dining in the treetops on a zipline adventure to stargazing at the Maldives’ first overwater observatory.
—Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observatory
Cite this Entry
“Observatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observatory. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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
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