Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Observation has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
the act of making and recording a measurement
"The scientist spent hours carefully noting every observation to ensure her data was accurate before publishing the study."
the act of observing; taking a patient look
"After weeks of careful observation, the scientist finally noticed how the birds migrated before the storm."
a remark expressing careful consideration
"After watching her for an hour, he made an observation that she only smiled when no one was looking."
the act of noticing or paying attention
"he escaped the notice of the police"
The act of observing, and the fact of being observed (see observance)
"The observation that everyone was watching his every move made him feel completely trapped in a fishbowl."
In plain English: An observation is when you notice and describe something you see, hear, or experience.
"The scientist made an observation that changed how we understand the weather."
Usage: Use observation to describe the act of noticing or watching something carefully, such as recording data during an experiment. Do not confuse it with observance, which refers to the practice of following rules or rituals.
The word observation entered English via Middle French and later through direct borrowing from Latin. It originally carried the sense of watching or noting something, which remains its core meaning today.