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

And while Ukrainian interceptors have brought down thousands of the Russian reconnaissance drones that find targets for their artillery, these are still also very much present. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

The training unit was located to the rear of the 620-mile active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are able to strike. —Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025

That number includes explosives-laden kamikaze drones that don’t reach their targets, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance drones like KrattWorks’ Ghost Dragon, meant for longer service. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2025

The training unit is located to the rear of the 620-mile active front line, where Russian reconnaissance and strike drones are able to strike. —Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 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