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 also ct scanner

Examples of scanner in a Sentence

a price scanner at a supermarket

Recent Examples on the Web

Airport-style baggage and body scanners have been installed at facility entrances and the county has increased the frequency of searches and the use of drug-sniffing canines. —Jason Henry, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

Using a handheld scanner, inspector John Devito selects items throughout the store and compares the shelf price to what comes up at the register. —Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

The proposal would switch the state to a system where voters would fill in bubbles on a paper ballot that would then be read by a scanner. —Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026

REEs are also critical for technologies not directly related to clean energy, such as MRI and PET scanners. —Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026

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