I. ˌäb-sər-ˈvā-shən, -zər- noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin observation-, observatio, from observare
Date: 1535
1.
a. : an act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law
b. : observance 3
2.
a. : an act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence often involving measurement with instruments
weather observation s
b. : a record or description so obtained
3. : a judgment on or inference from what one has observed ; broadly : remark , statement
4. obsolete : attentive care : heed
5. : the condition of one that is observed
under observation at the hospital
• ob·ser·va·tion·al -shnəl, -shə-n ə l adjective
• ob·ser·va·tion·al·ly adverb
II. adjective
Date: 1872
: designed for use in viewing something (as scenery) or in making observations
an observation tower
the observation platform