imager

noun

im·​ag·​er ˈi-mi-jər 

plural imagers

: one that produces an image: such as

a

: any of various machines (such as a CT scanner or X-ray machine) used to produce diagnostic images of a living body

… we believe that our state-of-the-art NMR imager is more sensitive than our state-of-the-art CT scanner in the evaluation of these diseases. Thus, to exclude suspected disease, NMR is the preferred modality.

—William G. Bradley, Jr.

b

: an instrument that combines the functions of detection and image production to generate graphic output of extremely high quality for scientific or technical study

The payload includes a descent imager to characterize the landing site's geological context, a stereo imager for high-resolution mapping of the surroundings, a gas analyzer, and an environmental survey package.

—Robert Burnham

The imager can measure two- and three-dimensional beam-intensity distributions, and it can transfer data to a computer via a video frame grabber.

—Physics Today

Examples of imager in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The instrument will be a state-of-the-art multi-thermal EUV imager that will include two telescopes, specific to studying the solar wind and extreme space weather events. —Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 15 Feb. 2025

The camera can capture frame rates of up to 25 frames per second and requires so little power it can be operated by USB. Animation: Bergische Universität Wuppertal Scanner: The imager detects a terahertz radiation source in real time. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2012

In order for the infrared imagers to work—measuring the red-shift of galaxies in the expanding cosmos—the telescope has to be shielded from stray heat, since that would wash out a thermal image the same way stray light would ruin an optical one. —Jeffrey Kluger/greenbelt, TIME, 8 Feb. 2025

Its science instruments are a light ion analyzer, a magnetometer, a soft X-ray imager and an ultraviolet aurora imager. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymageoure, ymager "one who makes images, sculptor," in part from imagen "to image entry 2" + -eoure, -er -er entry 2, in part borrowed from Middle French imagier, ymageur, derivatives of ymagier "to picture, imagine"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above