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observation

observation

211 3.0
The act of watching something to learn about it
  • noun
  • /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃən/
translation icon : observación
  • You can also share observations if you see something.
  • direct observation
  • conduct observations
  • participant observation

And then the next one is oh, observation of behaviors.

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Examples

  • However, there are no substitutes for direct observation of the child in several natural settings.

    Academic text (1999)
  • His observation of the stars led to new insights in the field of astronomy.

  • And by my observation, you have passed the test.

  • The little bit of observation about Cash is interesting.

  • But at what level does observation occur?

  • It's not a criticism, it's just an observation.

  • We want to keep him overnight for observation, but he'll be able to go home in the morning.

  • The only way that communication can occur is through observations of animal behavior.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Yale has made more observations than we have here at Harvard.

  • We obtained teachers' reports and conducted structured direct observations on the same group of children.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

surveillance
vsobservation
  • Specialized
526 6.2

Careful, continuous watching of people or places by the police

is the general act of paying attention not limited to official oversight
monitoring
vsobservation
130 3.2

Regular checking and recording of something to see how it changes

is the general act of paying attention rather than a repeated recorded process
examination
vsobservation
110 2.3

Careful study of something to find problems or details

is the broader act of paying attention to gain information, not only to find faults
close watch
vsobservation
11 2.3

Careful, constant watching of people or things to notice problems

is the general act of paying attention without the same continuous vigilance
observance
vsobservation
2 4.1

Giving careful, quiet attention to something

is used in both everyday and scientific contexts to gain information
keen observation
vsobservation
1 4.3

Noticing small details and understanding what they mean

is the neutral act of paying attention rather than an insightful skill
watching
vsobservation
1 1.0

Looking at something carefully for some time to notice changes

is the general act of paying attention not necessarily over a long period

Antonyms

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

Compounds

A high place where people watch a wide area, usually for military use

Noticing small details and understanding what they mean

1 6.4

A round roof on top of a building that holds a telescope for looking at the sky or surrounding area

A tall building that lets you see far across the land or sea for sightseeing

observation station
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A place where people watch and record weather, animals, or stars

A place with instruments that records weather data

radio observation
  • Specialized
5.6

An observation of space objects made with a telescope that detects radio waves

A clear, sharp remark that shows deep understanding

How Thorough

monitoring
130 3.2
observation
211 3.0
look
1.0
glance
222 1.4

Surface Forms

observation singular
observations plural

Morphology

observation = observe (transparent) = observe + ation

Clear nominalization expressing the act or process of observing; meaning is predictable from 'observe' + '-ation'.

Etymology

Observation comes from the Latin observare, meaning 'to watch' and built from ob- and servare 'to keep', like in preserve. So observation can mean the act of watching something carefully to learn or collect information.