: 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
By scanning for relevant keywords, these scanners are used to narrow down the volume of applicants and select the most relevant ones.
—
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Authorities rely on an electronic arsenal of radio frequency scanners, radars, and listening and optical devices and jammers, as well as their own set of drones, to track down drone operators below.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
On the other side of the scanner, rather than being left on your own to collect your belongings, getting rushed by other travelers behind you and having to recompose yourself for the long walk to your gate, a door opens up to a waiting BMW.
—Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
That’s because Noelle’s a different type of protagonist, portrayed confidently by Al Zahrani, a woman contending with her own loss while trying to gain a more prominent job than being the scanner of a police documents.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scanner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Authorities rely on an electronic arsenal of radio frequency scanners, radars, and listening and optical devices and jammers, as well as their own set of drones, to track down drone operators below.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
On the other side of the scanner, rather than being left on your own to collect your belongings, getting rushed by other travelers behind you and having to recompose yourself for the long walk to your gate, a door opens up to a waiting BMW.
—Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
That’s because Noelle’s a different type of protagonist, portrayed confidently by Al Zahrani, a woman contending with her own loss while trying to gain a more prominent job than being the scanner of a police documents.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scanner
Cite this Entry
“Scanner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scanner. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
