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

That’s right—body sweat can earn you that dreaded pull to the side after walking through the scanner. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

It's equipped with 1,500 surveillance cameras, body scanners and technology designed to block cellphone signals. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

According to the clerk's office, the discrepancy was caused by an issue involving the rollers on two high-speed absentee ballot scanners. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

National security applications include fuel rod scanners and port security systems, while industrial users rely on californium-252 for applications such as oil well logging, coal analysis and instrument calibration. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 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