reconnaissance

American  

[ri-kon-uh-suhns, -zuhns] / rɪˈkɒn ə səns, -zəns /

Or reconnoissance

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.

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reconnaissance British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of reconnaissance

1800–10; < French; Middle French reconoissance recognizance

Example Sentences

England head coach Thomas Tuchel made the journey to Madrid on his latest World Cup reconnaissance mission and was richly rewarded by a thrilling Champions League tie between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

By the time of my visit, that brigade had put about 100 soldiers through a monthlong course focused on electronic warfare, the use of drones for reconnaissance and strikes, countering drones and tactics, says Maj.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Army contract for its P550 Group two reconnaissance drone.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Bases in Europe house critical U.S. intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The history of our past voyages of discovery suggests that Voyager and other spacecraft reconnaissance missions will revolutionize our knowledge of this place.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• exploration
• surveillance