observed; observing
1
: to conform one's action or practice to (something, such as a law, rite, or condition) : comply with
failed to observe the law and as a consequence had to pay a fine
2
: to inspect or take note of as an augury, omen, or presage
observed the flight of the sacred geese
3
: to celebrate or solemnize (something, such as a ceremony or festival) in a customary or accepted way
observed Independence Day with a parade
4
a
: to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment
observed the behavior of the children
b
: to make a scientific observation on or of
observed the mating habits of the grouse
5
: to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts
… observed that the indefinite reduction of any given risk to society often brings with it an increase in other risks.—
E. L. Zebroski
E. L. Zebroski6
: to utter as a remark
"The paint," she observed, "is already starting to peel."
1
a
: to take notice
When your teacher is demonstrating something, sit up and observe!
b
: to make observations : watch
Perform your tricks, and we will observe.
Synonyms
Examples of observe in a Sentence
The class will be observing the movements of fish.
The patient must be observed constantly.
Children learn by observing their parents and others.
The new teacher will give the lesson today and the principal will observe.
We observed a large flock of birds heading north.
He observed two children playing with marbles on the street corner.
She observed that every man in the room had removed his hat.
Few cases of the disease have been observed in humans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Those findings, published this week in Biology Letters, suggest vampire bats may have evolved to develop a unique metabolism typically observed in blood-sucking insects.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Her dear mother, who was a teacher, observed that children believed that when ladies grew old, their hair turned honey blond.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Election Day isn't observed as a federal holiday, so post offices will be open and mail will be delivered.
—Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
The company observed a similar restriction during the 2020 U.S. election, reasoning that there wasn’t enough time to properly contest claims made in ads so close to the election.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for observe 
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Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Her dear mother, who was a teacher, observed that children believed that when ladies grew old, their hair turned honey blond.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Election Day isn't observed as a federal holiday, so post offices will be open and mail will be delivered.
—Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024
The company observed a similar restriction during the 2020 U.S. election, reasoning that there wasn’t enough time to properly contest claims made in ads so close to the election.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for observe
Dictionary Entries Near observe
Cite this Entry
“Observe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observe. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
observe
verb
ob·serve
əb-ˈzərv 
observed; observing
1
: to act in agreement with : obey
observe the law
2
: to celebrate or honor (as a holiday) with special events or customs
3
a
: to watch carefully
observed how the food was prepared
b
: to make a scientific observation of
observe an eclipse
4
: to come to understand or know especially by thinking about facts that have been noted
I have observed that it happens more often on Tuesdays
5
: to say as a remark
observed that it was a fine day and we agreed
observer
noun
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