scanner

noun

scan·​ner ˈska-nər 

: 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 also ct scanner

Examples of scanner in a Sentence

a price scanner at a supermarket

Recent Examples on the Web

Thanks to upgraded and additional technology, fans will be able to pass through metal-detection scanners more quickly. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

If a security rule can be checked with a scanner, use the scanner. — Brian Greenberg, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Zebra Technologies — Shares surged 22% after the maker of barcode scanners boosted its guidance for the full year. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Reading someone’s brain during a real conversation is hard because the conventional method requires lying motionless inside an MRI scanner. — Yigit Topoglu, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing scanner

• CAT scanner
• CT scanner

Rhymes for scanner

• banner
• branner
• canner
• fanner
• kanner
• manner
• manor
• planner
• spanner
• tanner

Kids 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