Meaning

• One who makes observations, monitors or takes notice

  "Most impartial observers agreed that Sampras had not served well."

• One who adheres or follows laws, guidelines, etc.

  "I shall be an observer of the local customs."

• A person sent as a representative, to a meeting or other function to monitor but not to participate

  "The UN sent many observers to the country's first elections."

• A country or other entity which has limited participation rights within an organization.

  "The Vatican and Palestine have observer status at the UN."

• A crew member on an aircraft who makes observations of enemy positions or aircraft

  "The only crew-member to survive the crash was the Canadian observer."

• A sentry etc. manning an observation post

  "We waited till dusk when the observers' vision was poorest."