Pronunciation: ˌ äb-s ə r- ' v ā -sh ə n, -z ə r-
Function: 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 \ -shn ə l, -sh ə -n ə l \ adjective
– ob · ser · va · tion · al · ly adverb