noun

reconnaissance

rih-KO-nih-suhns

noun

The act of exploring or observing an area to gather information, especially before military action.

"The pilots flew a reconnaissance mission over enemy territory."

How to Use Reconnaissance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishScouting or gathering information about an area, usually before military or strategic action.

Easily confused with

recognizance →

Common pairings

reconnaissance mission aerial reconnaissance conduct reconnaissance

reconnaissances plural

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The pilots flew a _____ mission over enemy territory.

Borrowed from French reconnaissance, "recognition" — a doublet of "recognizance," both descending from the same Latin root.

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