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

Aircraft carriers are critical for air operations, including strikes against ground targets, aerial reconnaissance, and air superiority missions. —John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

In the waning weeks of his presidency, Carter approved the creation of the Joint Special Operations Force, a group of elite military from all branches that would train and plan top-secret reconnaissance missions and other clandestine deadly attacks. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Apart from giving a head start in learning more challenging drones, the training drones could be issued in wartime as short-range reconnaissance and light strike drones which any graduate could fly. —David Hambling, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

Officials also warned that in addition to fueling wildfires, the winds could also ground helicopters and other aircraft that were being used to help contain the fire with retardant from above and provide aerial reconnaissance. —Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 8 Jan. 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