: one that scans: such as
a
: a device for sensing recorded data (as in a bar code)
a supermarket scanner
b
: a radio receiver that sequentially scans a range of frequencies for a signal
c
: a device that scans an image (such as a photograph) or document (such as a page of text) especially for use or storage on a computer
d
: a medical device for scanning a living body to collect diagnostic information see ct scanner
Examples of scanner in a Sentence
a price scanner at a supermarket
Recent Examples on the Web
So far, the industry’s response to secret sprawl and leakage risk has been largely reactive: Store credentials in vaults and run scanners to catch accidental exposure.
—
Ofir Har-Chen, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Divers scoured the water and deployed sonar scanners to search for Daniel until nightfall.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
When they're done shopping, Grapevine customers simply pass through a scanner on the way out of the store.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
Much of the underlying data already exists or could be collected, from the payment and tax numbers needed to track global production networks, to employers’ payroll figures, information collected from store scanner systems, and the many new sources of sensor and satellite data.
—Diane Coyle, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scanner
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Ofir Har-Chen, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Divers scoured the water and deployed sonar scanners to search for Daniel until nightfall.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
When they're done shopping, Grapevine customers simply pass through a scanner on the way out of the store.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
Much of the underlying data already exists or could be collected, from the payment and tax numbers needed to track global production networks, to employers’ payroll figures, information collected from store scanner systems, and the many new sources of sensor and satellite data.
—Diane Coyle, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scanner
Cite this Entry
“Scanner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scanner. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scanner
noun
scan·ner
ˈskan-ər 
: one that scans: as
a
: a device that senses recorded information
b
: a radio receiver that scans a range of frequencies for a signal
c
: a device that scans an image or document especially for use or storage on a computer
d
: a device for scanning a living body to collect medical information
Medical Definition
scanner
noun
scan·ner
ˈskan-ər
: a device (as a CT scanner) for making scans of a living body
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