What does observation mean?

Definitions for observation
ˌɒb zɜrˈveɪ ʃənob·ser·va·tion

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word observation.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. observationnoun

    the act of making and recording a measurement

  2. observation, observance, watchingnoun

    the act of observing; taking a patient look

  3. observation, reflection, reflexionnoun

    a remark expressing careful consideration

  4. observationnoun

    facts learned by observing

    "he reported his observations to the mayor"

  5. notice, observation, observancenoun

    the act of noticing or paying attention

    "he escaped the notice of the police"

Wiktionary

  1. observationnoun

    The act of observing, and the fact of being observed.

  2. observationnoun

    The act of noting and recording some event; or the record of such noting.

  3. observationnoun

    A remark or comment.

  4. observationnoun

    A judgement based on observing.

  5. Etymology: From observatio

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Observationnoun

    Etymology: observatio, from observo, Lat. observation, Fr.

    These cannot be infused by observation, because they are the rules by which men take their first apprehensions and observations of things; as the being of the rule must be before its application to the thing directed by it. Robert South, Serm.

    The rules of our practice are taken from the conduct of such persons as fall within our observation. John Rogers.

    In matters of human prudence, we shall find the greatest advantage by making wise observations on our conduct, and of the events attending it. Isaac Watts, Logick.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Observationnoun

    the act or the faculty of observing or taking notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything

  2. Observationnoun

    the result of an act, or of acts, of observing; view; reflection; conclusion; judgment

  3. Observationnoun

    hence: An expression of an opinion or judgment upon what one has observed; a remark

  4. Observationnoun

    performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance

  5. Observationnoun

    the act of recognizing and noting some fact or occurrence in nature, as an aurora, a corona, or the structure of an animal

  6. Observationnoun

    specifically, the act of measuring, with suitable instruments, some magnitude, as the time of an occultation, with a clock; the right ascension of a star, with a transit instrument and clock; the sun's altitude, or the distance of the moon from a star, with a sextant; the temperature, with a thermometer, etc.

  7. Observationnoun

    the information so acquired

Freebase

  1. Observation

    Observation is an activity of a living being, such as a human, which is necessary in order to receive knowledge of the world or about the environment through the senses, which often later involves the recording of data via the use of scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during this activity.

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Observation

    The act of regarding attentively and studying facts and occurrences, gathering data through analyzing, measuring, and drawing conclusions, with the purpose of applying the observed information to theoretical assumptions. Observation as a scientific method in the acquisition of knowledge began in classical antiquity; in modern science and medicine its greatest application is facilitated by modern technology. Observation is one of the components of the research process.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. observation

    In nautical astronomy, denotes the taking the sun, moon, or stars' altitude with a quadrant or sextant, in order thereby to find the latitude or time; also, the lunar distances.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'observation' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3337

  2. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'observation' in Nouns Frequency: #918

How to pronounce observation?

How to say observation in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of observation in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of observation in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of observation in a Sentence

  1. Brandon Judd:

    We have seen no benefit, they're not allowed to be in the public eye. They're not allowed to be in our lookout and observation posts, even in Texas.

  2. Edward Abbey:

    Anarchism is founded on the observation that since few men are wise enough to rule themselves, even fewer are wise enough to rule others.

  3. Josep Borrell:

    We are not going to send any electoral observation mission there because Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has taken care to imprison all the political contenders who have stood in these elections.

  4. Douglas London:

    MBS is eager to neutralize the threat posed by United States, whose intimate knowledge of the ruling family's skeletons, and everyone else's, and broad network, equipped him to enable any aspiring challenger to the crown, i don't rule out the possibility that MBS wanted to kill United States, but it's just as likely, if not more so, that were there a team deployed to Canada, MBS wanted to put United States under observation, information from which might provide insight on his contacts and activities.

  5. Slamet Winaryo:

    From our observation, the smoke is very thick in Palangka Raya and Sampit, we have decided to give one week off from Monday to Saturday for the students in both locations.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

observation#1#5336#10000

Translations for observation

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"observation." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 2 Apr. 2023. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/observation>.

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    an onerous or difficult concern
    • A. vigorish
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