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

This allows drones and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to enter electromagnetic warfare (EW) environments that are being occupied by multiple forces. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Between 1947 and 1950, American reconnaissance planes thoroughly photographed the area for cartographic purposes. —Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025

Reckoning showcased the high stakes of the star’s last stint chasing down villains, conducting submarine reconnaissance and hanging off planes. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2025

Think of monitoring an enemy’s radio-control signals, fooling its electronic reconnaissance probes, and evading its radar-detection system. —IEEE Spectrum, 21 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