imager

noun

im·​ag·​er ˈi-mi-jər 

plural imagers

: one that produces an image: such as

a

: any of various machines (such as a CT scanner or X-ray machine) used to produce diagnostic images of a living body

… we believe that our state-of-the-art NMR imager is more sensitive than our state-of-the-art CT scanner in the evaluation of these diseases. Thus, to exclude suspected disease, NMR is the preferred modality.

—William G. Bradley, Jr.

b

: an instrument that combines the functions of detection and image production to generate graphic output of extremely high quality for scientific or technical study

The payload includes a descent imager to characterize the landing site's geological context, a stereo imager for high-resolution mapping of the surroundings, a gas analyzer, and an environmental survey package.

—Robert Burnham

The imager can measure two- and three-dimensional beam-intensity distributions, and it can transfer data to a computer via a video frame grabber.

—Physics Today

Examples of imager in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Usually there is nothing to see but a burst of white and black in a thermal imager, with no indication of what the target was or how badly it was damaged (see 0:56-0;59 in video below). —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

All are equipped with thermal imagers to find targets. —David Hambling, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

The thermal imager can spot a person on the ground in darkness from a kilometer away. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

As the probe journeyed through space, its science team discovered that the spacecraft's high-resolution imager was out of focus. —Sidd Bikkannavar, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2010

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymageoure, ymager "one who makes images, sculptor," in part from imagen "to image entry 2" + -eoure, -er -er entry 2, in part borrowed from Middle French imagier, ymageur, derivatives of ymagier "to picture, imagine"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above