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
After a few weeks of testing its navigation and sensors in space, LINK will conduct a survey of Swift to determine the best grappling points on the observatory.
—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
Upon reaching orbit, Katalyst’s Link satellite will spend several weeks approaching the Swift observatory, which is unable to counter atmospheric drag and is likely to reenter the atmosphere and burn up later this year.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 July 2026
Wong and Marquess place a visit to Lowell at the very top of their recommendations list, with both calling out the clear, dark skies and bright stars that surround the observatory.
—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
Instead of focusing narrowly on one object at a time, the observatory will sweep across huge areas of sky, building an archive of stars, galaxies, asteroids and cosmic explosions.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for observatory
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Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
3 July 2026
Upon reaching orbit, Katalyst’s Link satellite will spend several weeks approaching the Swift observatory, which is unable to counter atmospheric drag and is likely to reenter the atmosphere and burn up later this year.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 July 2026
Wong and Marquess place a visit to Lowell at the very top of their recommendations list, with both calling out the clear, dark skies and bright stars that surround the observatory.
—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
3 July 2026
Instead of focusing narrowly on one object at a time, the observatory will sweep across huge areas of sky, building an archive of stars, galaxies, asteroids and cosmic explosions.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 July 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 7 Jul. 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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