observatory
nounAU, UK /əbˈzɜːvət(ə)ɹi/ · CA, US /əbˈzɝvətɔɹi/
Etymology Borrowed from French observatoire, equivalent to observe + -atory.
1
A place where stars, planets and other celestial bodies are observed, usually through a telescope; also place for observing meteorological or other natural phenomena.
- The corporation of Harvard University have passed a vote closing the observatory in Cambridge to the public on Saturday evenings.1847, editorial staff, “(untitled - Cambridge Observatory)”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 9, page 65:
2
A lookout (vantage point with a view of the surrounding area)
- Synonyms
- observatorium