\ ˈskan 
\
\scanned; scanning
Definition of scan
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
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 computer
b : to pass over in the formation of an image
the electron beam scans the picture tube
scan
nounDefinition of scan (Entry 2 of 2)
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
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from scan
Verb
scannable \ ˈska-nə-bəl \ adjective
\ adjectiveSynonyms for scan
Synonyms: Verb
Synonyms: Noun
- audit,
- check,
- checkup,
- examination,
- going-over,
- inspection,
- look-see,
- review,
- scrutiny,
- survey,
- view
Examples of scan in a Sentence
Verb
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. Noun
The patient underwent a brain scan.
The doctor examined the bone scans.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Humans constantly scan their environments for smells that signal changes and potential harms, though the process is not always conscious, said Dr. Dalton, of the Monell Chemical Senses Center.
—
New York Times, "Some Covid Survivors Haunted by Loss of Smell and Taste," 2 Jan. 2021 The advertisement urged New Yorkers to go to parcarevaccine.com to submit information or scan the barcode featured on its posters.
—
Hollie Mckay, Fox News, "NYC vaccine scandal under criminal investigation, leaves hundreds in limbo for second dose," 29 Dec. 2020 Rob Maffucci, chef and owner of V's Trattoria, holds the restaurant’s new menu placed at the table for people to scan.
—
Sabrina Herrera, courant.com, "Then and now: How Connecticut looked different in 2020," 28 Dec. 2020 To respond to changing giving trends, the Salvation Army has added bump pay options via Apple Pay or Google Pay to its kettles, along with QR codes that donors can scan with their phone to get a link.
—
Kelly Smith, Star Tribune, "Anonymous donor drops $1,600 in Salvation Army's Twin Cities red kettles again this year," 4 Dec. 2020 The spacecraft, launched in 2013, carries two telescopes that can scan our galaxy from a location called the Lagrange 2, or L2, point.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Gaia space observatory maps nearly 2 billion stars in Milky Way galaxy," 3 Dec. 2020 With PayPal’s touch-free QR code solution, all a customer needs to do is scan the code with the PayPal app, enter the amount owed and tap send.
—
Allison Hatfield, Dallas News, "5 ways small businesses can prepare for a jolly holiday season," 17 Nov. 2020 Participants can find the alphabets, scan their QR codes on their mobile devices, like them on social media and have chances to win prizes such as a boat ride in Miami, breakfast for two or shirts.
—
Sergio Carmona, sun-sentinel.com, "Game’s purpose is to ‘celebrate Hebrew language as part of Israeli culture’," 10 Dec. 2020 Asadi, one of the most experienced pilots in the Afghan air force, whirled his MD-530 aircraft to scan the horizon and spotted the telltale plume of white smoke.
—
Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, "Legendary Afghan air force pilot in hiding after U.S. reverses decision to help him flee Taliban," 3 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Parker was immediately sent for an MRI scan and remained in the hospital for three days having tests.
—
Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE.com, "Tom Parker Is Not '100 Percent' but Getting There 'Day by Day' After Brain Cancer Diagnosis," 31 Dec. 2020 On Tuesday, Stam said a scan of Tyton's leg revealed the injury wasn't extensive.
—
Pat Brennan, The Enquirer, "FC Cincinnati notebook: Jaap Stam discusses the Franko Kovačević transfer," 13 Oct. 2020 The microCT scan also revealed that its kidneys were calcified to a degree that suggests the snake was kept in poor condition when alive, likely with little water.
—
Claire Bugos, Smithsonian Magazine, "Scientists ‘Digitally Unwrap’ Ancient Egyptian Animal Mummies," 22 Aug. 2020 Ginsburg issued a statement on July 17 saying that a medical scan in February revealed lesions on her liver, which a subsequent biopsy determined were cancerous.
—
Mark Sherman, Star Tribune, "Ginsburg waited 4 months to say her cancer had returned," 2 Aug. 2020 Unspun launched in June of this year to patch that leaky pipeline; the company uses 3D scanning tech adapted from the creation of video game avatars to produce tailor-fit jeans with nothing but a quick smartphone scan.
—
Rachel Feltman And Jordan Blok, Popular Science, "The 10 most exceptional personal care products from 2020," 4 Dec. 2020 The best way now to measure the protein is a costly PET brain scan that usually is not covered by insurance.
—
CBS News, "First Alzheimer's blood test now on the market, without FDA approval," 1 Dec. 2020 The best way now to measure the protein is a costly PET brain scan that usually is not covered by insurance.
—
Marilynn Marchione, USA TODAY, "First blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease goes on sale," 30 Nov. 2020 The best way now to measure the protein is a costly PET brain scan that usually is not covered by insurance.
—
NBC News, "First blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer's goes on sale," 30 Nov. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for scan
scan
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of scan
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of scan (Entry 2 of 2)
: the act of looking at something carefully or quickly
: the act or process of using a special machine to see the inside of something (such as a part of the body)
: a picture of the inside of something that is made by a special machine
See the full definition for scan in the English Language Learners Dictionary
scan
verb\ ˈskan \
\scanned; scanning
Kids Definition of scan
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.
scan
verb\ ˈskan \
\scanned; scanning
Medical Definition of scan
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : 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
: to make a scan of the body or of an organ or part
scan
nounMedical Definition of scan (Entry 2 of 2)
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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on scan
What made you want to look up scan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
- Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your h...
Take the quiz - True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz - SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share scan
Time Traveler for scan
The first known use of scan was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century