scan

1 of 2

verb

scanned; scanning

transitive verb

1
: to read or mark so as to show metrical structure
scan poetry
2
: to examine by point-by-point observation or checking:
a
: to investigate thoroughly by checking point by point and often repeatedly
a fire lookout scanning the hills with binoculars
b
: to glance from point to point of often hastily, casually, or in search of a particular item
scan the want ads looking for a job
3
a
: to examine systematically (as by passing a beam of radiation over or through) in order to obtain data especially for display or storage
scanned the patient's heart
radar scans the horizon
scan the photos into the computer
b
: to pass over in the formation of an image
the electron beam scans the picture tube

intransitive verb

1
: to scan verse
2
: to conform to a metrical pattern
this poem scans well
scannable adjective

scan

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or process of scanning
2
: a radar or television trace
3
: an image formed by scanning something: such as
a
: a depiction (such as a photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material in something (such as a bodily organ)
b
: an image of a bodily part produced (as by computer) by combining ultrasonic or radiographic data obtained from several angles or sections
Choose the Right Synonym for scan

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over.

scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

Examples of scan in a Sentence

Verb He scanned the field with binoculars. He scanned the audience looking for his parents. She scanned his face for any clue to what he was thinking. She quickly scanned the pages of the newspaper. She scanned through the list to find her name. Their bags were scanned at the airport. This machine scans a patient's brain. Noun The patient underwent a brain scan. The doctor examined the bone scans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
At the platform validators, riders can scan their WisGo card, Umo mobile app or ticket before boarding the CONNECT 1. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support at AARP Fraud Watch Network, recently scanned through her database of cases and came across a handful of victims who had a third-party snag their Social Security number within the past six months. Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 In addition to being active PreCheck members, United passengers also need to have their passports scanned and uploaded into their MileagePlus accounts and enter their Known Traveler Numbers in order to participate in the TSA facial recognition program. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2024 When the dog came in, staff at the rescue scanned Cleo for a microchip and found one loaded with contact information. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 But passengers will scan their own bags and themselves. Chris Morris, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 The bull scans the crowd in the ring, alert to any challenge. Toby Muse, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024 Uses In Pathology For instance, in pathology, AI image processing systems can conduct the initial scan on thousands of images based on large datasets. David Rothschild, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The idea of scanning wastewater for drug use isn’t new. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
The Gateway Tour winner announced his wife’s pregnancy in July 2022 with an Instagram post in which the couple held up ultrasound scans. Adam England, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Though his scans appeared clean entering last year, the injuries persisted for Hernández, who hit .222 with a .599 OPS, six homers and 31 RBIs in 86 games for Boston before being traded to the Dodgers for two prospects on July 25. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 An officer noticed that the scan showed a hammer inside and attempted to look in the bag, but Snow grabbed it and became combative, police said. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 For reasons that are unclear, the hospital delayed the CT scans for hours. Pamela Appea, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 The people on the phone produced a fake scan on Guthrie's laptop that said it had been hacked. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 On a recent Wednesday morning, Dr. Kirsten Dummer, a pediatric cardiologist, was examining the heart scans of a 2-year-old who showed signs of a large aneurysm on the right side of the heart. Emily Baumgaertner Ariana Drehsler, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America's MRI Access Program assists eligible individuals with paying for MRI scans. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 For instance, some insurance companies are experimenting with AI to analyze medical images, such as MRI scans, to detect early signs of life-threatening diseases. Neil Sahota, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English scannen, from Late Latin scandere, from Latin, to climb; akin to Middle Irish sceinnid he springs, Sanskrit skandati he leaps

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scan was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near scan

Cite this Entry

“Scan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scan. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scan

1 of 2 verb
scanned; scanning
1
: to read or mark verses so as to show stress and rhythm
scan poetry
2
a
: to examine thoroughly
scanned their faces for signs of anger
b
: to make a wide sweeping search of
scanning the field with binoculars
c
: to look through or over hastily
scanned the headlines
d
: to examine systematically (as by passing a beam of radiation over or through) in order to obtain data especially for display or storage
scanned the patient's heart
scan the photos into the computer
3
: to move across in successive lines to form an image on a cathode-ray tube
the electron beam scans the face of the picture tube

scan

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or process of scanning
2
: an image formed by scanning something: as
a
: a picture of the distribution of radioactive material in something (as a bodily organ)
b
: a picture of part of the body made (as by a computer) by combining separate pictures taken from different angles or of different sections

Medical Definition

scan

1 of 2 verb
scanned; scanning

transitive verb

1
a
: to examine especially systematically with a sensing device (as a photometer or a beam of radiation)
b
: to pass an electron beam over and convert (an image) into variations of electrical properties (as voltage) that convey information electronically
2
: to make a scan of (as the human body) in order to detect the presence or localization of radioactive material

intransitive verb

: to make a scan of the body or of an organ or part

scan

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or process of scanning
2
a
: a depiction (as a photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material in something (as a bodily organ)
b
: an image of a bodily part produced (as by computer) by combining ultrasonographic or radiographic data obtained from several angles or sections

More from Merriam-Webster on scan

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