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

The nuclear-capable unmanned vehicle that looks like a narrow submarine with a propeller measures up to 65 feet in length and could be used on surveillance and reconnaissance missions, according to the BBC. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025

These rotorcraft can conduct reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and electronic surveillance without risking human crews. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025

Both Moscow and Kyiv utilize drones in various ways, from conducting reconnaissance missions to coordinating and executing strikes, or even as interceptors to take down the other's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

Still, Israel has had some success marketing its drones to Asia, particularly its surveillance and reconnaissance models. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 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