scan

verb \ ˈskan \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of scan

scanned; scanning

transitive verb

1 : to read or mark so as to show metrical structure

scan poetry

2 : to examine by point-by-point observation or checking:

a : to investigate thoroughly by checking point by point and often repeatedly

a fire lookout scanning the hills with binoculars

b : to glance from point to point of often hastily, casually, or in search of a particular item

scan the want ads looking for a job

3 a : to examine systematically (as by passing a beam of radiation over or through) in order to obtain data especially for display or storage

scanned the patient's heart

radar scans the horizon

scan the photos into the computer

b : to pass over in the formation of an image

the electron beam scans the picture tube

intransitive verb

1 : to scan verse

2 : to conform to a metrical pattern

this poem scans well

—

scannable

play \ˈska-nə-bəl\ adjective

See scan defined for English-language learners

See scan defined for kids

Examples of scan in a Sentence

He scanned the field with binoculars.
He scanned the audience looking for his parents.
She scanned his face for any clue to what he was thinking.
She quickly scanned the pages of the newspaper.
She scanned through the list to find her name.
Their bags were scanned at the airport.
This machine scans a patient's brain.

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

The app allows shoppers to scan items with mobile devices while in stores, pay through the app and avoid checkout lines.

— lorraine mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "Walmart plans $28 million in upgrades to Maryland stores," 11 Apr. 2018
This allows customers to scan items with their mobile devices while shopping in store, paying instantly and skipping the checkout line.

— william thornton, AL.com, "Walmart spending $17 million in Alabama, remodeling 5 stores," 11 Apr. 2018
Working with the British Antarctic Survey, scientists will use specialist metal detection technology to scan three sites in Antarctica.

— james rogers, Fox News, "Meteorite hunters: Scientists set to scour Antarctica for rare space rocks," 28 Mar. 2018
Cecile Nunley, a former Vallejo Unified School District business manager and Brown's guest, used a CalPERS copy machine to scan and email political fundraising documents, according to CalPERS.

— adam ashton, sacbee, "CalPERS bites new watchdog at her second public meeting | The Sacramento Bee," 20 Mar. 2018
The programs scan videos and still photos of one person and paint that person’s features onto another person in a separate video.

— benny evangelista, San Francisco Chronicle, "If you think fake news is bad, fake video is coming," 14 Mar. 2018
Researchers counted penguins by hand but also used drone imagery to scan large portions of the island.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Scientists Discover “Super-Colony” of 1.5 Million Adélie Penguins From Space," 2 Mar. 2018
Buehler's Fresh Foods, Dave's Supermarkets, Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle, Ace Hardware and Heinen's Fine Foods are participating in Check Out Hunger, which lets shoppers scan coupons and make donations of $1, $5 or $10 at the checkout register.

— brittany nader, cleveland.com, "Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank hosts largest Harvest for Hunger Campaign Kickoff Breakfast," 15 Feb. 2018
AccuWeather computers scan National Weather Service bulletins for specific codes and automatically send out alerts and push notifications to users based on that coding.

— alyson ward, nick powell and robert downen, San Antonio Express-News, "Tsunami warning sets off wave of angst along Gulf Coast over false alarms," 6 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scan

Middle English scannen, from Late Latin scandere, from Latin, to climb; akin to Middle Irish sceinnid he springs, Sanskrit skandati he leaps

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

scan Synonyms

Phrases

go over;

Synonym Discussion of scan

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over. scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

- scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

- scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

- inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

- examined the specimens

scan

noun

Definition of scan

1 : the act or process of scanning

2 : a radar or television trace

3 : an image formed by scanning something: such as

a : a depiction (such as a photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material in something (such as a bodily organ)

b : an image of a bodily part produced (as by computer) by combining ultrasonic or radiographic data obtained from several angles or sections

See scan defined for English-language learners

Examples of scan in a Sentence

The patient underwent a brain scan.
The doctor examined the bone scans.

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

Through the deal, Uber users will be able to pay for transit rides in its app or scan into rail and bus services using their smartphones.

— faiz siddiqui, Washington Post, "Uber is not just for hailing rides anymore," 11 Apr. 2018
Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act has been called one of the strictest laws of its kind in the nation and has turned the state into a hotbed of lawsuits over alleged misuses of data from facial, fingerprint and iris scans.

— ally marotti, chicagotribune.com, "As privacy takes center stage, proposal in Springfield would gut law protecting biometric data, opponents say," 10 Apr. 2018
Brain-scanning technologies are still in their infancy and, Mr. Jasanoff explains, provide only very crude and ambiguous data—yet the beautiful, colorized pictures from such scans are taken as a microcosmological map of our inner lives.

— steven poole, WSJ, "‘The Biological Mind’ Review: Identify Your Self," 5 Apr. 2018
Doctors there provided a Waukesha police detective with tentative results from some radiology scans that revealed a longer list of injuries.

— jim riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Waukesha woman charged with abusing her infant son, who had broken skull, ribs, leg and hand," 5 Apr. 2018
And now, the actress revealed her latest test results from her tumor mark and bone density scan.

— amanda garrity, Good Housekeeping, "UPDATE: Shannen Doherty Clarifies She Is Still "In Remission" After Elevated Tumor Marker," 4 Apr. 2018
Based on Icebrg's research and firsthand experience, Peteroy sees the group's focus on evading antivirus scans as one of its biggest assets.

— lily hay newman, WIRED, "The Billion-Dollar Hacking Group Behind a String of Big Breaches," 4 Apr. 2018
Went to doctor today for tumor marker test and bone density scan.

— Fox News, "Shannen Doherty reveals 'elevated' tumors marker levels following doctor's visit," 4 Apr. 2018
Those scans belong to Sherwood herself, who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage 20 years ago that forced her to relearn how to paint with her left hand.

— sharon mizota, latimes.com, "In Katherine Sherwood's nude paintings, disability and race enter the picture," 2 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of scan

1706

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

scan Synonyms

Synonyms

audit, check, checkup, examination, going-over, inspection, look-see, review, scrutiny, survey, view;

exploration, investigation, probe, research, study;

inquisition, interrogation;

once-over, perusal;

observation, surveillance, watch;

checkout, test-drive, trial run;

SCAN Defined for English Language Learners

scan

verb

Definition of scan for English Language Learners

: to look at (something) carefully usually in order to find someone or something
: to look over or read (something) quickly
: to look at the inside of (something) by using a special machine

SCAN Defined for Kids

scan

verb \ ˈskan \

Definition of scan for Students

scanned; scanning

1 : to examine or look over carefully

He scanned the field with binoculars.

2 : to look through or over quickly

I scanned the headlines of the newspaper.

3 : to examine with a special device (as a scanner) especially to obtain information

My bag was scanned at the airport.

Medical Dictionary

scan

verb \ ˈskan \

medical Definition of scan

scanned; scanning

transitive verb

1 a : to examine especially systematically with a sensing device (as a photometer or a beam of radiation)

b : to pass an electron beam over and convert (an image) into variations of electrical properties (as voltage) that convey information electronically

2 : to make a scan of (as the human body) in order to detect the presence or localization of radioactive material

intransitive verb

: to make a scan of the body or of an organ or part

scan

noun

medical Definition of scan

1 : the act or process of scanning

2 a : a depiction (as a photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material in something (as a bodily organ)

b : an image of a bodily part produced (as by computer) by combining ultrasonographic or radiographic data obtained from several angles or sections

Learn More about scan

See words that rhyme with scan Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scan Spanish Central: Translation of scan Nglish: Translation of scan for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scan for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up scan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

scan

Definition of scan

scannable

Examples of scan in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

Origin and Etymology of scan

scan Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Synonym Discussion of scan

scan

Definition of scan

Examples of scan in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

First Known Use of scan

scan Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

SCAN Defined for English Language Learners

scan

Definition of scan for English Language Learners

SCAN Defined for Kids

scan

Definition of scan for Students

Medical Dictionary

scan

medical Definition of scan

scan

medical Definition of scan

Learn More about scan

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes