reconnaissance

noun

re·​con·​nais·​sance ri-ˈkä-nə-zən(t)s 

-sən(t)s

: a preliminary survey to gain information

especially : an exploratory military survey of enemy territory

Examples of reconnaissance in a Sentence

There are two helicopters available for reconnaissance.

They did a reconnaissance of the enemy's position.

Recent Examples on the Web

In World War II, amphibious aircraft were used for reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, and anti-submarine warfare. —Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 9 July 2025

The fire call came in at 1:21 p.m., and firefighters were conducting reconnaissance on the blaze when bullets began raining down at about 2 p.m., Norris told reporters. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025

Afterwards reconnaissance drones can confirm whether a kill has been scored or whether further action is required. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Military reconnaissance platforms could operate reliably in the harshest conditions, from arctic temperatures to desert heat. —Siyu Huang, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, recognition, from Middle French reconoissance, from Old French reconoistre to recognize

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reconnaissance

noun

re·​con·​nais·​sance ri-ˈkän-ə-zən(t)s 

: a survey (as of enemy territory) to gain information