observation

The definition of an observation is the act of noticing something or a judgment or inference from something seen or experienced.

(noun)

  1. An example of observation is the watching of Haley's Comet.
  2. An example of observation is making the statement that a teacher is proficient from watching him teach several times.

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See observation in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. observance, as of laws, customs, etc.
    1. the act, practice, or power of noticing
    2. something noticed
  2. the fact of being seen or noticed: seeking to avoid observation
    1. the act or practice of noting and recording facts and events, as for some scientific study
    2. the data so noted and recorded
  3. a comment or remark based on something observed
    1. the act of determining the altitude of the sun, a star, etc., in order to find a ship's position at sea
    2. the result obtained

Origin: ME observacioun < L observatio, in LL(Ec), reverence, outward display

adjective

for observing

See observation in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. The act or faculty of observing.
    b. The fact of being observed.
  2. a. The act of noting and recording something, such as a phenomenon, with instruments.
    b. The result or record of such notation: a meteorological observation.
  3. A comment or remark. See Synonyms at comment.
  4. An inference or a judgment that is acquired from or based on observing.

Related Forms:

  • obˌser·vaˈtion·al adjective
  • obˌser·vaˈtion·al·ly adverb

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