n.
Pronunciation: ə b- ' z ə r-v ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
Etymology: probably from New Latin observatorium, from Latin observare
Date: 1676
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