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 developers have added custom scripts and HTTP headers to minimize visibility to security scanners. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

The police scanner feeds are a prime source of transparency around cop activity, but in the coming months the Oakland Police Department will retreat into its own private, encrypted channels — out of sight from the public. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025

But that wasn't the only incident that came under the scanner. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

The machines look similar to an MRI scanner and often used within the NHS to assess bone density. —Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing scanner

• CAT scanner
• CT scanner

Rhymes for scanner

• banner
• branner
• canner
• fanner
• kanner
• manner
• manor
• planner
• spanner
• tanner

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