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

Most of the flights were by P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which are designed for surveillance and reconnaissance, while some were by an RC-135V Rivet Joint, which specializes in signals intelligence gathering. —Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 10 May 2026

Chinese developers said the vehicles are intended for high-precision oceanographic surveys, seabed mapping and underwater reconnaissance. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026

This system exemplifies the transition from purely reconnaissance platforms to affordable, mass-deployable precision-strike assets. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

Crews are also using multiple techniques in the rugged terrain, including rim trail scanning, walk-down routes into the canyon, technical rope insertions, aerial reconnaissance flights and drone operations, park officials said. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

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