Meaning of observe In English

• 0 to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something, especially in order to learn more about it:

  • The role of scientists is to observe and describe the world, not to try to control it.

  • [ + question word ] He spent a year in the jungle, observing how deforestation is affecting local tribes.

  • Children learn by observing adults.

• 1 to notice or see:

  • Jack observed a look of anxiety on his brother's face.

  • [ + question word ] The guards failed to observe who delivered the package.

  • [ + that ] In all these films one observes that directors are taking a new interest in Native American culture.

  • [ + infinitive without to ] A teacher observed her climb over the gate.

• 2 to make a remark about something:

  • [ + speech ] "I've always found German cars very reliable," he observed.

  • [ + that ] She observed that it would soon be time to stop for lunch.

• 3 to obey a law, rule, or custom:

  • People must observe the law. Nobody should be an exception.

  • The old people in the village still observe the local traditions.

  • Do you observe Passover?

• 4 to watch something or someone carefully:

  • She spent her career observing animal behavior.

  • [ + question word ] On their field trip, the students observed how a newspaper was put together.

• 5 to notice something or someone:

  • [ T ] Jack observed a look of panic on his brother’s face.

• 6 to study and record information about a scientific event

• 7 to remark about something:

  • "It’s raining again," he observed.

• 8 to obey a law or rule, or celebrate a holiday or religious event in a traditional way:

  • You must observe the law.