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
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion, in February, 2022, Perun joined a reconnaissance unit and assembled a small team that ambushed and sabotaged Russian forces behind the lines.
—
Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
The small reconnaissance vehicle’s history started when the U.S. Army asked for bids from American automakers manufacturers with a very short timetable.
—David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
Both Moscow and Kyiv have used drones extensively for reconnaissance and attacks on ground forces.
—Paul Scharre, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024
The company previously partnered with the Indian Navy to manufacture ten Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
—Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
In the late 1970s, Soviet authorities asked the Kirovsky Design Bureau in Saint Petersburg to develop a nuclear reconnaissance and command vehicle.
—David Axe, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The borderline is mined, surveillance is conducted by all means, including aerial reconnaissance, from both sides.
—NBC News, 24 Mar. 2024
Russian reconnaissance drones continually fly overhead, directing artillery or mortar fire on the soldiers.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
The operation involved a navy destroyer, a patrol ship, an Indian Air Force C-17 transporter flying more than 1,500 miles to airdrop marine commandos, a naval drone, a reconnaissance drone and a P-8 surveillance jet, the release said.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024
Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
The small reconnaissance vehicle’s history started when the U.S. Army asked for bids from American automakers manufacturers with a very short timetable.
—David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024
Both Moscow and Kyiv have used drones extensively for reconnaissance and attacks on ground forces.
—Paul Scharre, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024
The company previously partnered with the Indian Navy to manufacture ten Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
—Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
In the late 1970s, Soviet authorities asked the Kirovsky Design Bureau in Saint Petersburg to develop a nuclear reconnaissance and command vehicle.
—David Axe, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The borderline is mined, surveillance is conducted by all means, including aerial reconnaissance, from both sides.
—NBC News, 24 Mar. 2024
Russian reconnaissance drones continually fly overhead, directing artillery or mortar fire on the soldiers.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
The operation involved a navy destroyer, a patrol ship, an Indian Air Force C-17 transporter flying more than 1,500 miles to airdrop marine commandos, a naval drone, a reconnaissance drone and a P-8 surveillance jet, the release said.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reconnaissance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Reconnaissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconnaissance. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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