observe

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To watch someone or something carefully.

   The students observed the experiment closely.

2. 2
   verb

   To notice or see something.

   I observed a change in his behaviour over the week.

3. 3
   verb

   To make a remark or comment about something.

   He observed that the weather had been unusually warm.

4. 4
   verb

   To obey or follow a rule, custom, or law.

   All drivers must observe the speed limit.

5. 5
   verb

   To celebrate or mark a special day or holiday.

   Many families observe Christmas with a big meal.

From Middle French observer, from Old French observer, from Latin observō (“to watch”), from ob- (“before”) + servō (“to keep”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to guard”). Cognate with Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐍂𐍅𐌰 (sarwa, “weapons, armour”), Old English searu (“device”).

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