reconnoiter

[ ree-kuh-noi-ter, rek-uh- ]
See synonyms for reconnoiter on Thesaurus.com
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.

verb (used without object)
  1. to make a reconnaissance.

Origin of reconnoiter

1
1700–10; <French reconnoître (now obsolete) to explore, Middle French reconoistre.See recognize

Other words from reconnoiter

  • re·con·noi·ter·er, noun
  • un·re·con·noi·tered, adjective

Words Nearby reconnoiter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use reconnoiter in a sentence

  • Darkness had already fallen, and White Otter determined to reconnoiter the plain before the first war party left the ravine.

    Three Sioux Scouts | Elmer Russell Gregor