From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishscoutscout1 /skaʊt/ ●●○ noun [countable] 1 a) the ScoutsDLC an organization for boys that teaches them practical skills b) (also boy scout)DLC a boy who is a member of this organization2 (also Girl Scout) American EnglishDLC a girl who is a member of an organization for girls that teaches them practical things SYN guide British English3 PMa soldier, plane etc that is sent to search the area in front of an army and get information about the enemy He sent three scouts ahead to take a look at the bridge.4 (also talent scout)BO someone whose job is to look for good sports players, musicians etc in order to employ them He was spotted by a scout at the age of 13.
Examples from the Corpus
scout• He was killed in the assault soon after, but the information he had gained as a scout led to victory.• I've no interest in cub scouts.• Davis caught the attention of NBA scouts a few years ago.• The Spotted Tail scouts quickly overtook him.• But the scouts were very aware that the fear of war was never far from their minds.• First came the scouts, clever, graceful, quiet.• But the decision seems to be a hit with the scouts.scoutscout2 verb 1 [intransitive] (also scout around/round)LOOK FOR to look for something in a particular areascout for I’m scouting round for a place to stay.2 [transitive] (also scout out)PM to examine a place or area in order to get information about it American companies are keen to scout out business opportunities in Vietnam.3 [intransitive, transitive]BO to find out about the abilities of sports players, musicians etc in order to employ them→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
scout• The day drew on, and Tagan scouted ahead to look for a possible camping site.• It was dark by the time he hit Prospect and started scouting around for parking.• And I was scouting around vaguely aware that, in fact, I'd actually located it.• It transpired that he had been scouting at the Festival.• They go through an intelligence test and an array of interviews at the scouting combine in February.• Each day now Phagu went scouting in the jeep, Kamesh driving, he and I perched up on the luggage rack.• Hidden in the Playboy interview, almost subliminally, is a scouting report, reviewing Shaq in every possible field.• But there are still some available if you're prepared to scout round.• In the morning, he set out to scout the surrounding countryside.scout for• Lou was scouting for a site on which to build her house.Origin scout2 (1300-1400) Old French escouter “to listen”, from Latin auscultare 