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

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

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

Adrian Wilson, a former player who was a member of the Cardinals’ scouting department while Mauro was with the team, was among the others from the football world paying tribute.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Ostensibly, Snead and McVay stepped aside to give assistant general manager John McKay and Nicole Blake, the director of scouting, strategy and analytics, experience dealing with questions from reporters, which they handled with aplomb.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

I study the fake wood pattern in the closest cafeteria table and try not to show how much I suddenly wish I could be scouting Squaretail Brook with him.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden

Related Words

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