observer

noun

ob·​serv·​er əb-ˈzər-vər How to pronounce observer (audio)
: one that observes: such as
a
: a representative sent to observe but not participate officially in an activity (such as a meeting or war)
b
: an expert analyst and commentator in a particular field
political observers

Examples of observer in a Sentence

According to one observer, the event was poorly organized. The star is not visible to an observer without a telescope. According to one military observer, this change comes after years of planning. Observers say the economy is improving. The class has an observer today, so please be on your best behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web The couple were seen in video footage published on the Sun newspaper’s website this week, visiting a farm shop in Windsor, which some observers speculated could quell the online rumors. Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 But some observers don’t think streaming or TV platforms would see a sustained lift if TikTok went away. Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024 There are no significant independent observers monitoring the election. Emma Burrows and Dasha Litvinova, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar. 2024 The dynamics have led political observers on both sides of the aisle to ask: Should Trump and Biden step aside, or be pushed away? David Jackson, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 Political observers don't discount the impact of electoral politics. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024 Online observers have studied this photo and allege that it, too, was manipulated somehow, drawing comparisons to past photos of the princess and saying that her image had been placed in the photo. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 Wide receiver Derek Smith, on crutches, also was a practice observer rather than participant. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 But close observers of the department see an escalation in both content and rhetoric under New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain. Jake Offenhartz, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'observer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of observer was circa 1550

Dictionary Entries Near observer

Cite this Entry

“Observer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observer. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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