reconnoiter

American  

[ree-kuh-noi-ter, rek-uh-] / ˌri kəˈnɔɪ tər, ˌrɛk ə- /

verb (used with object)

1. to inspect, observe, or survey (the enemy, the enemy's strength or position, a region, etc.) in order to gain information for military purposes.

2. to examine or survey (a region, area, etc.) for engineering, geological, or other purposes.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a reconnaissance.

Other Word Forms

• reconnoiterer noun
• unreconnoitered adjective

Etymology

Origin of reconnoiter

1700–10; < French reconnoître (now obsolete) to explore, Middle French reconoistre. See recognize

Example Sentences

Filled with hydrogen, they were used to reconnoiter enemy positions, their passengers hand-sketching battlefield maps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

When Liddy and Hunt go to reconnoiter the psychiatrist’s office, they wear terrible wigs by way of disguise.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2023

Top executives have shifted their attention to other countries that they can more easily reconnoiter.

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2022

On Aug. 18, 2009, two days before a national election, I was supposed to partner with Afghan army forces to reconnoiter local polling sites.

From Washington Post • Aug. 20, 2021

Later, Hazel had said that there was nothing for it but to cross the open pasture and under Silver’s direction they had crossed it, with Dandelion running ahead to reconnoiter.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams