imager

noun

im·​ag·​er ˈi-mi-jər How to pronounce imager (audio)
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 The data from the imager will be useful in weather prediction, said Carlo Simoncelli, a program manager at Leonardo. Nicholas Bakalar, New York Times, 24 July 2023 The blankets do still betray a somewhat blotchy contour on thermal imagers. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 25 Apr. 2023 During those flybys in July 2020 and February 2021, Parker kept its imager on and aimed it at the dark side of Venus. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Feb. 2022 Now, an astrophysicist and exoplanet imager at Northwestern University has used 17 years of footage to create a time-lapse video of this almost complete orbit of the giant planet around its star. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Aug. 2023 Its imagers, which include the Near-Infrared Camera and Mid-Infrared Instrument, allow JWST to look beyond cosmic dust and sense weak and ancient light from up to 13 billion years ago, just 800,000 years after the universe was born. Popular Science, 12 July 2023 These see the least area but take the crispest pictures, so satellites in LEO are often imagers either doing science, such as monitoring weather, or spying. Ann Finkbeiner, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2020 The technique may also be more effective against lower-quality or shorter-range commercial thermal imagers. Mylar—also known by trade names Melinex and Hostaphan and the scientific term BoPET—is usually most valued for its ability to prevent heat loss. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 25 Apr. 2023 The ash plume from the May 3, 2008 eruption of Chaitén in Chile seen from Terra's MODIS imager. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 22 Mar. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imager.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of imager was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near imager

Cite this Entry

“Imager.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imager. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

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