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

According to a Homeland Security memo about the change obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, travelers may still be required to remove their shoes if their footwear triggers an alarm at a scanner or magnetometer. —Ethan Wolin updated July 8, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025

That sort of possible eavesdropping by bad actors has been a concern with public scanner traffic for decades. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025

Sweat stains on clothing can trigger alarms on airport body scanners. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 4 July 2025

In its complaint, the FTC said the scanners failed in several cases to detect weapons in schools while flagging harmless personal items like binders and water bottles. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 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