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
According to the Associated Press, these observatories track everything from ocean circulation and marine ecosystems to climate change and extreme weather.
—
Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 14 June 2026
Radio observatories designed to detect extremely faint signals from deep space now have to cope with interference from large satellite constellations.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Lick died at age 80 just a few months later and is entombed at the observatory.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Sitting at an altitude of 6,800 feet, the observatory offers some of the darkest, clearest skies in the country.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for observatory
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Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 14 June 2026
Radio observatories designed to detect extremely faint signals from deep space now have to cope with interference from large satellite constellations.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Lick died at age 80 just a few months later and is entombed at the observatory.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Sitting at an altitude of 6,800 feet, the observatory offers some of the darkest, clearest skies in the country.
—Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 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 15 Jun. 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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