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

FPVs operate mainly in the daytime, though Birds of Magyar does also have a significant number of FPVs with thermal imagers for night operations. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

This could produce sharper, real-time pictures from inside the human body, says a researcher who hopes to one day build such a unified imager. —IEEE Spectrum, 19 Mar. 2013

Thirdly, smoke is generally not effective against thermal imagers which are increasingly common on the battlefield. —David Hambling, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

The instruments carried by the lander performed many first-of-their kind science and technology demonstrations, including starting the moon's deepest robotic planetary subsurface thermal probe and using an X-ray imager to study the interaction of solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2025

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