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

Early orbital reconnaissance of Cerberus Fossae suggested that some sort of fluid washed over the area not too long ago in geologic terms.

From Quanta Magazine

The Cessna was the perfect vehicle for a casual reconnaissance mission.

From Time

While the Air Force had tried to couch the recent demonstration as being about reconnaissance, in the training exercise that reconnaissance helped select targets for a missile strike.

From Fortune

Its modular framework excels at gaining powerful administrator privileges, spreading rapidly from computer to computer in networks and performing reconnaissance that identifies infected computers belonging to high-value targets.

From Ars Technica

The company wanted to demonstrate the drone’s ability to conduct maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

From Voice of San Diego

In a Lynx, however, Harry could take part in reconnaissance missions and transport passengers.

From The Daily Beast

The New York Times reported that Iran has deployed reconnaissance drones and military equipment to the Iraqi army.

From The Daily Beast

This was a tethered reconnaissance balloon, as first used 220 years ago in the French Revolutionary War.

From The Daily Beast

On August 18, an IED killed Private First Class Morris Walker and Staff Sergeant Clayton Bowen during a reconnaissance mission.

From The Daily Beast

ASW assets and crews have been diverted to reconnaissance missions in overland and littoral wars.

From The Daily Beast

At the date of Rose's first reconnaissance to this cellar, these cells were vacant and unguarded.

From Project Gutenberg

Finally, to conclude this preliminary reconnaissance, the attitude of Socialism to religion is wholly unjustifiable.

From Project Gutenberg

It appears somewhat strange that no reconnaissance was made of the Russian position by the generals.

From Project Gutenberg

During the diplomatic reconnaissance led by Caulaincourt, the statesmen of these countries had been busy at Fontainebleau.

From Project Gutenberg

During the various expeditions of our reconnaissance I came to employ two distinct methods of working the legs with the lungs.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• exploration
• surveillance