The French military term vedette (formed from Latin videre, to see), migrated into English and other languages to refer to a mounted sentry or outpost, who has the function of bringing information, giving signals or warnings of danger, etc, to a main body of troops. In modern terms, the soldiers who man listening-posts are the equivalent of vedettes.

Navies use the term vedette to refer to a small scouting boat.

In the entertainment industry, vedette refers to a star performer of stage or screen.