reconnaissance
noun
re·con·nais·sance
ri-ˈkä-nə-zən(t)s 
-sən(t)s
: a preliminary survey to gain information
especially
: an exploratory military survey of enemy territory
Examples of reconnaissance in a Sentence
There are two helicopters available for reconnaissance.
They did a reconnaissance of the enemy's position.
Recent Examples on the Web
The broader package includes Boeing P8I Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft for its navy, anti-tank mines for its ground forces, and upgrades to its Soviet-era T-72 tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
During the Cold War, satellite reconnaissance was a powerful tool, albeit limited.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
For that reason, GEO is a popular destination for weather, reconnaissance and communications satellites.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command in Warsaw said in posts to social media that NATO warplanes were scrambled while air defense systems and radar reconnaissance were ordered to the highest level of readiness amid Russia's Friday night strikes.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reconnaissance
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Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
During the Cold War, satellite reconnaissance was a powerful tool, albeit limited.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
For that reason, GEO is a popular destination for weather, reconnaissance and communications satellites.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command in Warsaw said in posts to social media that NATO warplanes were scrambled while air defense systems and radar reconnaissance were ordered to the highest level of readiness amid Russia's Friday night strikes.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reconnaissance
Cite this Entry
“Reconnaissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconnaissance. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reconnaissance
noun
re·con·nais·sance
ri-ˈkän-ə-zən(t)s
: a survey (as of enemy territory) to gain information
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