English Explanatory Dictionary

observation

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The act of observing, and the fact of being observed (see observance)
  2. The act of noting and recording some event; or the record of such noting.
  3. A remark or comment.
  4. A judgement based on observing.
  5. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance.
  6. A regime under which a subject is routinely observed.
  7. A realization of a random variable.

Pronunciation

ŏb'zər-vāʹshən /ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃn̩/ /ˌɑbzɚˈveɪʃn̩/ en-us-observation.ogg əb-zər-vāʹshən /əbzə(ɾ)ˈveʃən/

Word forms

observation observations

Etymology

From Middle English observacion, borrowed from Middle French observacion. Also a borrowing from French observation and a learned borrowing from Latin observātiō(n-). Morphologically observe + -ation.

Related words

observance observant observatory observe observer

Derived words

counterobservation Ettore's observation inobservation malobservation misobservation multiobservation nonobservation observational observation balloon observation car observation deck observation hut observation post observation tower observation tree observation wheel participant observation postobservation preobservation reobservation
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