recon

1 of 2

noun

re·​con ˈrē-ˌkän  ri-ˈkän 

: reconnaissance

recon

2 of 2

verb

reconned; reconning; recons

transitive verb

: to conduct a preliminary and especially an exploratory survey of : to do a reconnaissance of (something)

In another village we sent an advance party to recon the place.

—Wallace Terry

Examples of recon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Work that used to require top-tier nation-state capability is now within reach for moderately capable attackers because AI tools can write malware, scan and prod systems, automate recon and chain exploits at machine speed. —Scott Alldridge, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Grier received the kind of elite recon that all great heists need. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Verb

Moreno and Lisa D’Silva, Rascal’s voyage manager and resident marine biologist, used their knowledge of the park to recon the best coral reefs and other dive spots. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025

Beyond identity markers like racial background and gender, Americans also recon with the less visible affiliation of their status among the PMC, the classical petty bourgeoisie, or the working class. —Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

derivative of recon entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1918, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1966, in the meaning defined above