reconnaissance

Or re·con·nois·sance

[ri-kon-uh-suhns, -zuhns]

noun

1. the act of reconnoitering.

2. Military.,  a search made for useful military information in the field, especially by examining the ground.

3. Surveying, Civil Engineering.,  a general examination or survey of a region, usually followed by a detailed survey.

4. Geology.,  an examination or survey of the general geological characteristics of a region.

reconnaissance

/ rɪˈkɒnɪsəns /

noun

1. the act of reconnoitring

2. the process of obtaining information about the position, activities, resources, etc, of an enemy or potential enemy

3. a preliminary inspection of an area of land before an engineering survey is made

Word History and Origins

Origin of reconnaissance¹

1800–10; < French; Middle French reconoissance recognizance

Word History and Origins

Origin of reconnaissance¹

C18: from French, from Old French reconoistre to explore, _recognize

Example Sentences

Shield AI started in 2015 with the aim to offer reconnaissance in U.S. operations in the Middle East.

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Traditional cyber-espionage requires large teams working through reconnaissance, system mapping, vulnerability identification and lateral movement.

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The loyal wingman is a type of AI-powered drone designed to operate in tandem with manned fighter jets and other aircraft, providing reconnaissance and carrying extra weapons.

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The base was used to run US intelligence reconnaissance flights, detecting potential drug smuggling.

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A career military man, commander of Allied forces in Europe during World War II, he’d seen plenty of aerial reconnaissance photos.

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Related Words

• exploration 
• surveillance