scan

verb \ ˈskan \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: scan in a Sentence

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

In the past, ballots were scanned at polling places, allowing more results to be reported on election night.

— diana lambert and darrell smith, sacbee, "Sacramento County has 200,000-plus votes to count, giving some candidates sliver of hope," 6 June 2018
Sketches, runway shots, and inspiration cutouts that feel scanned directly from their moodboards make up a lump sum of the imagery on offer.

— refinery29.com, "Add This Australian Fashion Brand To Your Closet, ASAP," 4 June 2018
Some staff quickly scanned bags, while others dug deep, looking through every pocket and crevice.

— kellie hwang, azcentral, "Phoenix Comic Fest 2018 takeaways: What went well (and what didn't)," 30 May 2018
Alternatively, scan it or take a picture and email to Beth.Decarbo@wsj.com .

— candace taylor, WSJ, "The Latest Real-Estate Trend? Coloring Books for Grown-Ups," 30 May 2018
My six-foot-tall spouse scanned the place but saw no such color poking from the sea of greenery.

— maria panaritis, Philly.com, "My child has never known his grandmom. But somehow he found her spring flower | Maria Panaritis," 30 May 2018
She and her colleagues scanned nearly 100 existing studies that connected exercise with more than 122 different tests of brain function.

— alice park, Time, "Here’s How Much Exercise You Need to Keep Your Brain Healthy," 30 May 2018
Elmano Gonsalves scanned the parking lot outside the Lake Merritt Sailboat House.

— otis r. taylor jr., San Francisco Chronicle, "Oakland seeks new way to fight illegal dumping of trash," 24 May 2018
Interestingly, Steam scans your backlog and user profile to create custom objectives for each user.

— brad chacos, PCWorld, "Steam's Spring Cleaning event encourages PC gamers to clear out their backlog," 24 May 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

The machines may even be able to see nuances that humans cannot, assessing how risky a patient’s cancer is simply by looking at a scan.

— The Economist, "AI, radiology and the future of work," 7 June 2018
Finally, have your IT team do a forensic computer scan to find out the extent of Ed's problem.

— Anchorage Daily News, "One of my best employees was caught watching porn at work. Do I have to fire him?," 4 June 2018
But after enrolling in the trial, her brain scan still detects no sign of cancer four years later.

— scott berson, miamiherald, "Scientists created a brain-cancer vaccine - and so far it's 'remarkably promising'," 30 May 2018
Women over 65 can get ahead of a potential bone break by asking their doctor for a bone density scan.

— andreas arauer, USA TODAY, "Why aren’t we talking about osteoporosis?," 30 May 2018
Guests at Arcis must have their retinas scanned to go through the first door, then present their bare forearms for a vascular scan at a second door.

— atossa araxia abrahamian, Longreads, "Tax-Free Storage Wars," 29 May 2018
When the doctor walked in with the results of our latest scan, the look on her face told me in an instant that something was wrong.

— danielle campoamor, Marie Claire, "I'm Pregnant and I Want My Baby—But I Still Need to Know My Abortion Options," 23 May 2018
Kane will find out the extent of the injury after his scan on Wednesday and is almost certain to miss Tottenham's FA Cup quarter final tie with Swansea City on Saturday.

— SI.com, "Tottenham Star Harry Kane to Undergo Scan to Determine the Severity of Ankle Injury," 13 Mar. 2018
The owners could count on an early warning from their pet instead of anxiously waiting months for their next scan.

— meghan rabbitt, Good Housekeeping, "These Medical Detection Dogs Are (Literally) Lifesavers," 3 Jan. 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