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

This includes laser scanners, which help achieve near-perfect alignment between segments excavated from both ends. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025

The scanner can accommodate this range of formats by including a slide holder and three film adapters. —PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025

The mobile scanners allow the Pittsburgh Parking Authority to cover huge swaths of the city without ever getting out of the car. —Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025

In the Amadeus report, an average of 69% of people would be open to biometrics scanners at security. —New Atlas, 26 Nov. 2025

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