observer

noun ob·serv·er \əb-ˈzər-vər\

: a person who sees and notices someone or something

: a person who pays close attention to something and is considered to be an expert on that thing

: a person who is present at something (such as a meeting) in order to watch and listen to what happens

Full Definition of OBSERVER

: one that observes: as

a : a representative sent to observe but not participate officially in an activity (as a meeting or war)

b : an expert analyst and commentator in a particular field <political observers>

See observer defined for English-language learners

circa 1550

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