scan

play

verb \ˈskan\

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 binocularsb : 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
3a : 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 computerb : 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

At the University of Chicago, clean-shaven economics majors in collared shirts and khakis, constantly scanning the horizon for the next consulting or finance internship, are considerably more visible than purple-haired Communists.

— max bloom, National Review, "The Strange Traditionalism of the Liberal Elite," 19 July 2017
Scan the code with your smartphone, and the currency is yours.

— sonia zhuravlyova, MSNBC Newsweek, "The Future of Money: Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrency Technologies Are a Way of Life in This Small Swiss Town," 11 July 2017
What remains of the West African films has been digitally scanned as part of a project by the Arsenal — Institute for Film and Video in Berlin.

— ben kenigsberg, New York Times, "Review: ‘Spell Reel’ Shows a Revolution Filmed, on the Leader’s Orders," 27 June 2017
But instead of scanning a user’s email, the ads will now be targeted with other personal information Google already pulls from sources such as search and YouTube.

— mark bergen, The Seattle Times, "Google will stop reading your Gmail to insert ads — it knows plenty about you anyhow," 23 June 2017
Flying Angels’; scanned with a special type of x-ray machine before it can be safely returned to your hand luggage; and can only be carried on a direct flight.

— lale arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, "Genoa's Airport Lets You Bring Pesto in Your Carry-On, Regardless of Liquids Ban," 22 June 2017
Stationary high-altitude balloons could carry cameras to monitor flash floods and forest fires or scanning lasers to remotely sense soil moisture and vegetation growth.

— adam mann, Science | AAAS, "Commercial balloons in the stratosphere could monitor hurricanes and scan for solar storms," 22 June 2017
By now I’ve been involved in several CT-scanning projects.

— darren naish, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Sensitive Face of a Big Predatory Dinosaur," 16 June 2017
The app told me to scan the QR code (high tech!) that was helpfully printed on the drone, the case, and each individual battery.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "The DJI Spark Is a Great Beginner Drone," 15 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

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 asa : 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

In 1976, the Silver Shadow’s MSRP was $38,750, while a quick scan of today’s prices reveals a spread from around five grand to over 50 large.

— davey g. johnson, Car and Driver, "The Spirit of ’76: The Custom Cloud Was an Ersatz Rolls-Royce Out of Florida," 4 July 2017
Next stop is a scan & consult with Dr. Iannitti in 1 month.

— jim ayello, USA TODAY Sports, "Good news in John Andretti's cancer fight," 29 June 2017
Projected above Allison were images from two CT scans.

— danielle jackson, Longreads, "The Best of City And Regional Magazines: A Reading List," 20 June 2017
Doctors are not clear exactly what brought on his condition, though scans showed loss of tissue in all parts of his brain, reports CBS News.

— jen kirby, Daily Intelligencer, "UVA Student Detained in North Korea Has Died," 19 June 2017
But scans and, later, surgery on Christmas Eve 2015 revealed a rare and advanced case of appendix cancer that quickly spread to her bones and other organs.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Father's Day has new meaning for widowed Navy dad," 17 June 2017
An INRIX congestion scan for June 7 shows speeds under 30 mph in the afternoon at the eastbound Mount Baker tunnels, and also slow in the morning westbound at mid-Mercer Island.

— mike lindblom, The Seattle Times, "Life without I-90 express lanes: traditional commutes longer, reverse commutes shorter," 15 June 2017
As the bone tries to heal itself, the destruction left by the cancer can be picked up on a CT scan or MRI.

— korin miller, SELF, "Olivia Newton-John's Back Pain Was a Sign Her Breast Cancer Returned," 31 May 2017
Also, some patients and their families expect antibiotics to be prescribed for a sore throat or a CT scan for a bump on the head.

— chad terhune, Kaiser Health News, "Putting A Lid On Waste: Needless Medical Tests Not Only Cost $200B — They Can Do Harm," 24 May 2017

First Known Use of scan

1706

SCAN Defined for English Language Learners

scan

play

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

play

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

play

verb \ˈskan\

Medical Definition of scan

scanned

;

scanning

1
transitive verb

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
2a: 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