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

On the other side of the globe, Ukraine has used them to conduct reconnaissance in the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion in 2022, the Kyiv Post reports.

From BBC

The Russian reconnaissance plane had been detected in the UK's "area of interest" but the MoD said at no time was it able to enter UK sovereign airspace.

From BBC

South Korea has amplified its own warnings, telling the Pentagon this week that North Korea is “very likely” to seek technology relating to tactical nuclear weapons, reconnaissance satellites and nuclear submarines.

From Los Angeles Times

He was an experienced aviator, and after writing the book, returned to Europe on a reconnaissance mission for the Free French air force fighting Nazi Germany.

From BBC

The Okhotnik is supposed to be able to carry bombs and rockets to strike both ground and aerial targets as well as conduct reconnaissance.

From BBC

Related Words

• exploration
• surveillance