scout

/skaʊt/
noun
  1. A member of the Scout movement, a worldwide youth organization that teaches outdoor skills, teamwork, and community service.
    • My son joined the scouts and learned how to tie knots and build a campfire.
    • The scouts collected food for the local food bank last weekend.
    • She earned a badge for first aid as a scout.
  2. A person sent ahead to gather information, especially in a military or exploration context.
    • The scout reported that the trail was safe to travel.
    • In the old west, a scout would look for water and game.
    • The army sent a scout to check the enemy's position.
  3. A person who looks for talented people, such as athletes, actors, or musicians, for a team or organization.
    • A baseball scout spotted him playing in a small-town game.
    • The talent scout offered her a contract after her performance.
    • The record label's scout searches for new singers at local clubs.
verb
  1. To explore or examine an area to gather information.
    • He scouted the neighborhood for the best route to school.
    • We scouted the park before choosing a spot for the picnic.
    • The team scouted the opponent's plays by watching old videos.
  2. To look for talented people to recruit.
    • She scouts local art shows for new painters to feature.
    • The coach scouts high school games for promising players.
    • The agency scouts models at fashion events.