scan

1 of 2

verb

ˈskan 

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

ˈska-nə-bəl 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• examine
• review
• survey
• inspect
• view

Noun

• inspection
• examination
• audit
• survey
• scrutiny

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

Algorithms scan data faster than analysts can interpret it. —Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025

Along the rocky coast of eastern Italy at night, researchers scanned a tide pool in hopes of seeing something interesting. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025

Noun

However, after having the scan, Bishop had the uneasy sense that something wasn’t right. —Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

To measure my alertness, she’s decided to give me an hourly Psychomotor Vigilance Test, along with some word-fluency exercises and EEG brain scans. —Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing scan

• CAT scan
• CT scan
• PET scan
• side-scan sonar

Rhymes for scan

• an
• ban
• bran
• can
• cann
• clan
• duan
• fan
• flan
• gran
• jann
• klan

Kids Definition

scan

1 of 2 verb

ˈskan 

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

ˈskan 

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