ob‧serve W2 / əbzɜv $ -ɜrv / 动词

1 [及物动词，不用于进行时] formal 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.

Register

In 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 [不及物和及物动词] 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.

3 [及物动词] formal 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 [及物动词] to do what you are supposed to do according to a law or agreement 同义词 obey , adhere to :

So far the ceasefire has been observed by both sides.

5 [及物动词] to do things and obey laws that are part of a religion or custom 同义词 follow