scanner

noun

scan·​ner ˈska-nər 

: one that scans: such as

a

: a device for sensing recorded data (as in a bar code)

a supermarket scanner

b

: a radio receiver that sequentially scans a range of frequencies for a signal

c

: a device that scans an image (such as a photograph) or document (such as a page of text) especially for use or storage on a computer

d

: a medical device for scanning a living body to collect diagnostic information see ct scanner

Examples of scanner in a Sentence

a price scanner at a supermarket

Recent Examples on the Web

Travelers flying out of the growing number of airports with facial scanners at the TSA checkpoint will still be required to present a Real-ID compliant form of identification. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2024

Penzone included millimeter-wave scanners often used at airports as an example of what the department might use. —Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024

Students walk between two scanners, similar to the design of a normal metal detector. —Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 28 Feb. 2024

At the time, Rozman said federal law enforcement suggested some of the misinformation flooding the scanner or other police communication might have been intentional. —Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing scanner

• CAT scanner
• CT scanner

Kids Definition

scanner

noun

scan·​ner ˈskan-ər 

: one that scans: as

a

: a device that senses recorded information

b

: a radio receiver that scans a range of frequencies for a signal

c

: a device that scans an image or document especially for use or storage on a computer

d

: a device for scanning a living body to collect medical information

Medical Definition

scanner

noun

scan·​ner ˈskan-ər 

: a device (as a CT scanner) for making scans of a living body