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

The filing also details the company's commitment to capital expenditures, including the installation of a new scanner in New York, estimated to cost $2.0 million. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024

Heins' challenge argued that he should be allowed to observe the voting process now because ballots are really tabulated as soon as voters put them through a scanner. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

An examination with a CT scanner is prepared in the emergency room of the university hospital (UKJ) in Jena, Germany. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024

Test ballots could be put through a scanner at a polling place to cast an actual vote, and they're still considered official ballots under state law. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Oct. 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