reconnoiter

verb

re·​con·​noi·​ter ˌrē-kə-ˈnȯi-tər How to pronounce reconnoiter (audio)
ˌre-kə-
variants or reconnoitre
reconnoitered or reconnoitred; reconnoitering or reconnoitring ˌrē-kə-ˈnȯi-tə-riŋ How to pronounce reconnoiter (audio)
-ˈnȯi-triŋ
Synonyms of reconnoiternext

transitive verb

: to make a reconnaissance of

intransitive verb

: to engage in reconnaissance

Examples of reconnoiter in a Sentence

An expedition reconnoitered the coast to find out the exact location of enemy forces. They were sent ahead to reconnoiter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Squat under the brush; bend to see around branches and trees; crawl to reconnoiter dense thickets. 46. — Outdoor Life, 19 Nov. 2019 Thomas Caldwell Thomas Caldwell, a Navy veteran who once worked for the FBI, coordinated a planned armed response and engaged in reconnoitering the Capitol, prosecutors said. — Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French reconnoître, literally, to recognize, from Old French reconoistre — more at recognize

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of reconnoiter was in 1705

Rhymes for reconnoiter

See All Rhymes for reconnoiter

Browse Nearby Words

reconnection
reconnoiter
reconnoiterer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reconnoiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconnoiter. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

reconnoiter

verb
re·​con·​noi·​ter
variants or reconnoitre
ˌrē-kə-ˈnȯit-ər How to pronounce reconnoiter (audio)
 also  ˌrek-ə-
reconnoitered or reconnoitred; reconnoitering or reconnoitring
: to make a reconnaissance (as in preparation for military action)

More from Merriam-Webster on reconnoiter

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reconnoiter

Nglish: Translation of reconnoiter for Spanish Speakers

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