scan

play

verb \ ˈskan \

Definition of scan

scanned; scanning

transitive verb

1 :to read or mark so as to show metrical structure

scan poetry

2 :to examine by point-by-point observation or checking:

a :to investigate thoroughly by checking point by point and often repeatedly

a fire lookout scanning the hills with binoculars

b :to glance from point to point of often hastily, casually, or in search of a particular item

scan the want ads looking for a job

3 a :to examine systematically (as by passing a beam of radiation over or through) in order to obtain data especially for display or storage

scanned the patient's heart

radar scans the horizon

scan the photos into the computer

b :to pass over in the formation of an image

the electron beam scans the picture tube

intransitive verb

1 :to scan verse

2 :to conform to a metrical pattern

this poem scans well

—

scannable

play \ˈska-nə-bəl\ adjective

See scan defined for English-language learners

See scan defined for kids

Examples of scan in a Sentence

He scanned the field with binoculars.
He scanned the audience looking for his parents.
She scanned his face for any clue to what he was thinking.
She quickly scanned the pages of the newspaper.
She scanned through the list to find her name.
Their bags were scanned at the airport.
This machine scans a patient's brain.

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

Each machine is designed to scan about 600 people per hour, Sotero said.

— Washington Post, "Body scanners being piloted in Los Angeles subway system," 16 Aug. 2017
On live national television, a poll worker used a cell phone to scan Maduro’s card.

— cody weddle and patricia mazzei, miamiherald, "Showdown Venezuela vote under way amid tense protests," 30 July 2017
The Western Science Center is home to a fascinating array of archaeological artifacts and Pleistocene Ice Age fossils that were unearthed at Diamond Valley Lake, including this mastodon jaw getting CT scanned at California Imaging & Diagnostics.

— nicole miller-coleman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mastodon detectives are headed to Hemet in August," 23 July 2017
At the University of Chicago, clean-shaven economics majors in collared shirts and khakis, constantly scanning the horizon for the next consulting or finance internship, are considerably more visible than purple-haired Communists.

— max bloom, National Review, "The Strange Traditionalism of the Liberal Elite," 19 July 2017
That electron beam would scan across a screen 625 times, 25 times per second.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Why Old Computers Monitors Make Horrible Whining Noises," 11 July 2017
Do this to stay organized: Scan your insurance records into a folder on your computer.

— nicole lapin, Redbook, "Organize Your Way Richer (Seriously!)," 11 July 2017
Scan the code with your smartphone, and the currency is yours.

— sonia zhuravlyova, MSNBC Newsweek, "The Future of Money: Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrency Technologies Are a Way of Life in This Small Swiss Town," 11 July 2017
What remains of the West African films has been digitally scanned as part of a project by the Arsenal — Institute for Film and Video in Berlin.

— ben kenigsberg, New York Times, "Review: ‘Spell Reel’ Shows a Revolution Filmed, on the Leader’s Orders," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scan

Middle English scannen, from Late Latin scandere, from Latin, to climb; akin to Middle Irish sceinnid he springs, Sanskrit skandati he leaps

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

scan Synonyms

Synonyms

audit, check (out), con, examine, overlook, oversee, review, inspect, scrutinize, survey, view

Related Words

notice, observe, watch; comb, peruse, pore (over); analyze, dissect, parse; delve (into), explore, investigate, plumb, probe, research, study; categorize, classify; pick over; reinspect, rereview, resurvey

Near Antonyms

skim; glance (at or over); miss, overlook

Synonym Discussion of scan

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over. scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

- scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

- scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

- inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

- examined the specimens

scan

noun

Definition of scan

1 :the act or process of scanning

2 :a radar or television trace

3 :an image formed by scanning something: such as

a :a depiction (such as a photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material in something (such as a bodily organ)

b :an image of a bodily part produced (as by computer) by combining ultrasonic or radiographic data obtained from several angles or sections

See scan defined for English-language learners

Examples of scan in a Sentence

The patient underwent a brain scan.
The doctor examined the bone scans.

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

Biometric scans of farmers like 27-year-old Kumar are a key part of a pilot program by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to identify final buyers of fertilizers that are important to boost agricultural output and provide food security.

— pratik parija, Bloomberg.com, "Fertilizer Smugglers May Be Jobless After India Reforms Subsidy," 30 Aug. 2017
Back in the ER, time starts moving quickly again as a doctor comes in and explains that the scan confirms a rupture and an internal bleed and that I will be admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery, now.

— joanna petrone, Longreads, "Pregnant, then Ruptured," 18 Aug. 2017
Officials said the dinosaur’s skull is the largest object to date for which full, high-resolution neutron and X-ray CT scans have been done at Los Alamos.

— Washington Post, "Neutron beams, x-rays reveal more about T. rex relative," 15 Aug. 2017
But Gina weathers on, outlasting IVs, MRIs and CT scans in her determination to protect a female Alzheimer's patient from heartless schemers.

— lloyd sachs, chicagotribune.com, "'The Force' by Don Winslow is unrelenting — plus more crime fiction reviews," 24 July 2017
In 1976, the Silver Shadow’s MSRP was $38,750, while a quick scan of today’s prices reveals a spread from around five grand to over 50 large.

— davey g. johnson, Car and Driver, "The Spirit of ’76: The Custom Cloud Was an Ersatz Rolls-Royce Out of Florida," 4 July 2017
Next stop is a scan & consult with Dr. Iannitti in 1 month.

— jim ayello, USA TODAY Sports, "Good news in John Andretti's cancer fight," 29 June 2017
Projected above Allison were images from two CT scans.

— danielle jackson, Longreads, "The Best of City And Regional Magazines: A Reading List," 20 June 2017
Doctors are not clear exactly what brought on his condition, though scans showed loss of tissue in all parts of his brain, reports CBS News.

— jen kirby, Daily Intelligencer, "UVA Student Detained in North Korea Has Died," 19 June 2017

First Known Use of scan

1706

scan Synonyms

Synonyms

audit, check, checkup, examination, going-over, look-see, review, inspection, scrutiny, survey, view

SCAN Defined for English Language Learners

scan

play

verb

Definition of scan for English Language Learners

: to look at (something) carefully usually in order to find someone or something
: to look over or read (something) quickly
: to look at the inside of (something) by using a special machine

SCAN Defined for Kids

scan

play

verb \ ˈskan \

Definition of scan for Students

scanned; scanning

1 :to examine or look over carefully

He scanned the field with binoculars.

2 :to look through or over quickly

I scanned the headlines of the newspaper.

3 :to examine with a special device (as a scanner) especially to obtain information

My bag was scanned at the airport.

Medical Dictionary

scan

play

verb \ ˈskan \

medical Definition of scan

scanned; scanning

transitive verb

1 a :to examine especially systematically with a sensing device (as a photometer or a beam of radiation)

b :to pass an electron beam over and convert (an image) into variations of electrical properties (as voltage) that convey information electronically

2 :to make a scan of (as the human body) in order to detect the presence or localization of radioactive material

intransitive verb

:to make a scan of the body or of an organ or part

scan

noun

medical Definition of scan

1 :the act or process of scanning

2 a :a depiction (as a photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material in something (as a bodily organ)

b :an image of a bodily part produced (as by computer) by combining ultrasonographic or radiographic data obtained from several angles or sections

Learn More about scan

See words that rhyme with scan Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scan Spanish Central: Translation of scan Nglish: Translation of scan for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scan for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up scan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

scan

Definition of scan

scannable

Explore M-W

Examples of scan in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

Origin and Etymology of scan

scan Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of scan

scan

Definition of scan

Examples of scan in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scan from the Web

First Known Use of scan

scan Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

SCAN Defined for English Language Learners

scan

Definition of scan for English Language Learners

SCAN Defined for Kids

scan

Definition of scan for Students

Medical Dictionary

scan

medical Definition of scan

scan

medical Definition of scan

Learn More about scan

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Words of the Year: 1066