reconnaissance

noun re·con·nais·sance \ri-ˈkä-nə-zən(t)s, -sən(t)s\

: military activity in which soldiers, airplanes, etc., are sent to find out information about an enemy

Full Definition of RECONNAISSANCE

: a preliminary survey to gain information; especially : an exploratory military survey of enemy territory

See reconnaissance defined for English-language learners

See reconnaissance defined for kids

French, literally, recognition, from Middle French reconoissance, from Old French reconoistre to recognize

First Known Use: 1810

RECONNAISSANCE Defined for Kids

noun re·con·nais·sance \ri-ˈkä-nə-zəns\

: a survey (as of enemy territory) to get information

Next Word in the Dictionary: reconnaissance in forcePrevious Word in the Dictionary: recongealAll Words Near: reconnaissance

What made you want to look up reconnaissance? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears