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 observatory and dam, owned and operated by clean energy company FirstLight, has welcomed approximately 175,000 visitors since opening in 1986.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Big observatories are oversubscribed, limited by geography and have a huge operational cost, so by encouraging global users to contribute with their telescopes, Unistellar is turning individual observations into usable scientific data.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The Hyperia started as a custom build for the Palais de la Découverte in Paris, which needed a next-gen digital observatory.
—New Atlas, 26 Jan. 2026
On select nights, follow dinner or drinks with a visit to the adjacent observatory and enjoy uncontaminated views of the galaxy.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for observatory
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Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Big observatories are oversubscribed, limited by geography and have a huge operational cost, so by encouraging global users to contribute with their telescopes, Unistellar is turning individual observations into usable scientific data.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The Hyperia started as a custom build for the Palais de la Découverte in Paris, which needed a next-gen digital observatory.
—New Atlas, 26 Jan. 2026
On select nights, follow dinner or drinks with a visit to the adjacent observatory and enjoy uncontaminated views of the galaxy.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 25 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 29 Jan. 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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