What does "observed" mean?

1. (watched carefully) watched someone or something closely to learn about them. 2. (followed a rule) obeyed a law, a rule, or a religious custom. 3. (remarked or said) said something you noticed about a situation. 4. (rescheduled holiday) describes a public holiday that is celebrated on a different day than usual.

How do you use "observed"?

Often used in the passive voice in scientific reporting. Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'silence', 'tradition', or 'protocol'. Typically followed by a 'that' clause.

observed

v. · adj.

US //əbˈzɝvd// UK //ɒbzˈɜːvd// ob·served

1 watched carefully (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

watched someone or something closely to learn about them.

monitored or watched a subject with attention to detail, often for scientific or investigative purposes.

Example

The scientists observed the birds for several weeks to see how they built their nests.

Example

The researchers observed the chemical reaction under a microscope, noting the precise moment the solution changed from clear to opaque.

Usage

Often used in the passive voice in scientific reporting.
- ignored
- overlooked
2 followed a rule (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

obeyed a law, a rule, or a religious custom.

complied with or adhered to a law, regulation, or religious tradition.

Example

The silence was strictly observed during the ceremony to show respect.

Example

The local community has observed these traditional fasting laws for centuries, passing the customs down through generations.

Usage

Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'silence', 'tradition', or 'protocol'.

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3 remarked or said (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

said something you noticed about a situation.

made a remark or comment based on an observation.

Example

He observed that the room was much colder than it had been yesterday.

Example

The chairman observed that the company's growth had slowed significantly in the final quarter of the fiscal year.

Usage

Typically followed by a 'that' clause.
4 rescheduled holiday (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Formal

describes a public holiday that is celebrated on a different day than usual.

pertaining to a public holiday celebrated on a date other than its traditional calendar date, usually to create a long weekend.

Example

Since Christmas fell on a Sunday, the holiday was observed on Monday instead.

Example

The government announced that the national day would be an observed holiday on the following Friday to encourage domestic tourism.
- rescheduled
- shifted