What does "go-around" mean in aviation?

In aviation, "go-around" refers specifically to the procedure in which a pilot decides to abandon the current approach to landing. This action involves climbing back to a safe altitude to reassess the situation before attempting to land again. The go-around may be initiated for various reasons, such as poor visibility, mechanical issues, or obstacles on the runway, ensuring safety as the primary concern.

The key aspect of the go-around is that it allows the pilot to safely abort the landing while maintaining control of the aircraft, providing the opportunity to reconfigure for another approach when conditions are suitable. This contrasts with the options relating to uncertainty in landing or circling the airport without a plan to land, which do not encapsulate the proactive and safety-aligned nature of a go-around.