scouting

American  

[skou-ting] / ˈskaʊ tɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of reconnoitering; reconnaissance.

2. the activities of a scout or scouts.

3. (often initial capital letter) the program of activities of the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts.

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scouting British  

/ ˈskaʊtɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the activities, programmes, principles, etc, of the Scout Association

   2. ( as modifier )

      the international Scouting movement

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Other Word Forms

• scoutingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of scouting

First recorded in 1635–45; scout ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

One position will focus on pro scouting, draft scouting and player development while the other will specialize in analytics, data and the salary cap.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

In the British Basketball League of the late 1990s, scouting rival teams wasn’t as simple as pulling up game film on an iPad.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

While he recovered in the captured pueblo, Coronado sent scouting parties in search of the elusive Seven Cities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Hortiz said Mesidor’s standout play in the postseason with Miami coupled with how he impressed them at the NFL scouting combine ultimately played big factors in their decision to draft him.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

At the far end of the crowd, Annabeth spotted Tyson the Cyclops and Percy’s hellhound, Mrs. O’Leary—who had been the first scouting party from Camp Half-Blood to reach Camp Jupiter.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• aloof
• arrogant
• averse
• contemptuous
• derisive
• haughty
• unsympathetic