: 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
Its ultra-slim design slides effortlessly into your front pocket, while radio frequency identification (RFID)-blocking tech keeps your cards safe from sneaky scanners.
—
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2025
Enhanced scanners mounted on inspection vehicles swept nearly 10 million license plates in the quarter, more than double the previous year.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Over the course of two days, Becker had study participants lie in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner, which detects blood flow in the brain as a proxy for neural activity, and view a series of 120 Mooney images.
—Nora Bradford, Quanta Magazine, 5 Nov. 2025
The only market that counts is the one attached to a ballot scanner.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scanner
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Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 Nov. 2025
Enhanced scanners mounted on inspection vehicles swept nearly 10 million license plates in the quarter, more than double the previous year.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Over the course of two days, Becker had study participants lie in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner, which detects blood flow in the brain as a proxy for neural activity, and view a series of 120 Mooney images.
—Nora Bradford, Quanta Magazine, 5 Nov. 2025
The only market that counts is the one attached to a ballot scanner.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 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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