# RECON

/ˈɹikɔn/ (US) · /ɹˌiːkˈɒn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recon
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

Stands for reconnaissance. A quick trip to find out information about a place or a situation. It is a short way of saying reconnaissance and is often used by soldiers or in movies.

For teachers: Abbreviation for reconnaissance. A preliminary survey or exploration of an area to gather information, typically for military or strategic purposes. A clipped form that retains its technical utility while adopting a more casual tone.

## Examples

- The team did some quick recon before the mission started.
- The scouts went ahead to perform some recon on the enemy camp to see how many guards were on duty.
- Effective urban planning requires extensive recon of the existing infrastructure to identify potential bottlenecks before any new construction can be approved by the city council.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.