From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishobserveob‧serve /əbˈzɜːv $ -ɜːrv/ ●●○ W2 verb 1 [transitive not in progressive] formalSEENOTICE to see and notice something → observation Scientists have observed a drop in ozone levels over the Antarctic.observe that It was observed that 40 percent of patients had high blood pressure.observe somebody doing something Officers observed him driving at 90 miles per hour. Predators have been observed to avoid attacking brightly coloured species.► see thesaurus at notice, seeRegisterIn everyday English, people say that someone sees, notices, or spots something or someone:She was spotted going into a restaurant with a well-known footballer.2 WATCH[intransitive, transitive] to watch something or someone carefully The police have been observing his movements. One student performs the experiment, while his partner observes.observe what/how/where Observe how the people in the group interact.► see thesaurus at watch3 [transitive] formalSAY to say or write what you have noticed about a situation ‘Sid looks ill, ’ Doherty observed.observe that Keynes observed that humans fall into two classes.4 OBEY[transitive] to do what you are supposed to do according to a law or agreement SYN obey, adhere to So far the ceasefire has been observed by both sides.5 [transitive] to do things and obey laws that are part of a religion or custom SYN follow→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
observe• I didn't observe anything out of the ordinary about her behaviour that day.• On another day I had observed her in deep contemplation of a dead lamb.• Visitors are encouraged to look around and observe how things work.• Workers observing it and about to leave on their own foraging, immediately fly off in the direction indicated.• All the decorum we ve observed over the months since my return to the city breaks down.• I love to observe people at work.• Too many accidents are occurring at work because employers are not observing safety regulations.• Psychologists observed that the mice became more aggressive when they were put in smaller cages.• The space shuttle crew will observe the atmosphere, aurora, and stars.• Thursday is Ascension Day, when the church observes the bodily ascension of Christ into heaven.• More than 90% of Jews said they observed the Day of Atonement.• We try to observe the local customs so that we don't offend people.• Hakeem is currently observing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and fasts between sunrise and sunset.• Rebels continue to observe the truce.• If we look at other photographic genres, we can also observe the way in which commodity culture has affected their development.• Zella and George observed their 55th wedding anniversary last August.• The more time you spend with horses observing their behaviour, the more effectively you will be able to judge their moods.• You can avoid danger by observing these simple rules.• Thus, it is not necessarily inconsistent to observe what seems to be impulsive behavior after the will is present.observe somebody doing something• Officers observed Cox driving on the wrong side of the road.observe what/how/where• He then simply observed what happened to the women for over fifteen years.• To let him master this challenge, she would observe what he was doing with a friend.• He observed how institutional forms of control by society had virtually disappeared.• He slowed his pace to observe where Jerome went, and followed him without haste into the cloister.• Researchers are eager to observe how the change takes place.• You never have to interact with them and then you can observe how they respond to your environmental structuring.• He recalls once telling a group of students to clear their minds and observe what was going on in the room.• Everyone should carefully observe what way his heart draws him to, and then choose this way with all his strength.observe that• Marian observed that Amelia was so severely debilitated that the least strain or exertion exhausted her.• Meanwhile, Hutcheson observed that in 1995 all the chip forecasters had varying degrees of egg on their face.• It is observed that the characteristics of readers determine readings as much as the characteristics of texts.• But it is important to observe that the competitive character of the market process has not been affected in the slightest.• John Johnson, general manager, observed that the transition to the team-based structure involved some convincing.• And Che reau observes that world, which is so close to his own, with a wryly sympathetic eye.Origin observe (1300-1400) Old French observer, from Latin observare “to guard, watch”, from servare “to keep” 