Word
reconnaissance
Phoneticsre·con·nais·sance, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈkɑnəsəns/
UK/ɹɪkˈɒnɪsəns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the act of going to a place to get information, usually about an enemy or a new area. You use this when you need to check a situation before taking action.
n. the process of obtaining information about the activities and resources of an enemy or potential enemy, or the physical characteristics of a particular area. Often involves preliminary surveying or research before a larger operation.
Examples
“The team did some reconnaissance before starting the project.”
“The scouts performed a quick reconnaissance of the valley to ensure no obstacles blocked the path for the main group.”
“Satellite reconnaissance provides high-resolution imagery that allows analysts to monitor infrastructure developments without the need for physical presence in restricted territories.”
Examples
simple
“The team did some reconnaissance before starting the project.”
contextual
“The scouts performed a quick reconnaissance of the valley to ensure no obstacles blocked the path for the main group.”
complex
“Satellite reconnaissance provides high-resolution imagery that allows analysts to monitor infrastructure developments without the need for physical presence in restricted territories.”
Usage
Often used in military or technical contexts; frequently appears in the shortened informal form 'recon'.
Pitfall
They made a reconnaissance about the area
They did reconnaissance on the area
Reconnaissance is typically paired with the verbs 'do', 'perform', or 'carry out', and takes the preposition 'on' or 'of'.
Real-World Examples
“It also showed Bowie taking cellphone pictures outside the state capitol, allegedly as part of a “reconnaissance” operation.” “Prosecutors say she visited the building at least five times on reconnaissance missions ahead of the attack.” “He drove his friend Jihad Al-Shamie on a 10-hour round trip to conduct hostile reconnaissance at the UK's Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, on 14 August 2025.” “NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured detailed images showing bright and dark streaks of debris blasted across the surrounding surface.” Etymology
Borrowed from French reconnaissance (“recognition”). Doublet of recognizance.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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