scan

1 of 2

verb

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 adjective

scan

2 of 2

noun

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
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of scan in a Sentence

Verb 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. Noun The patient underwent a brain scan. The doctor examined the bone scans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The chaos reached its peak on Saturday, Feb. 10 when tournament security decided to let people into the course without scanning their tickets because so many had shown up. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 Then, scan the artwork and turn it into a sentimental homemade Mother's Day card—complete with a handwritten message on the inside. Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 The phrase evokes a solemn CEO scanning the sky from the deck of the corporate ship. Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The law’s early drafts focused on AI systems carrying out narrowly limited tasks, like scanning resumes and job applications. Kelvin Chan, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 By scanning each body, Aescape aims to remedy the fact that bodies come in many different shapes and sizes. Annie Colbert, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2024 Edwin was trawling the internet and scanning networks to see who might be using software with a known hole. Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2024 By the third or fourth time that invoice comes in, it’ll be automatically scanned, and then the right fields will be populated. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Some companies offer DNA tests that scan an embryo for genetic variations, making predictions about future outcomes that can extend beyond purely medical considerations. Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Sign Up for PreCheck, Already Keep those shoes and belts on, leave the liquids and laptops in your bag, and forgo the full-body scans by getting TSA PreCheck. Eric Rosen, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024 Machine-learning models are further refining the information gleaned from mammograms, and some are getting sophisticated enough to predict which currently normal scans show signs of potentially turning into malignant tissue in the future. TIME, 14 Mar. 2024 Preliminary scans have confirmed that the carved limestone block is a continuation of the lower section of the statue, which was found in the same area in 1930 by German archaeologist Günther Roeder. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 The scans did show a bruised lung, but Roberts described it as a positive outcome for Treinen, who is now scheduled to play catch Monday and throw a bullpen session Wednesday. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 She has been diagnosed with a concussion, but her initial scans came back otherwise clean. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 This supports ophthalmologists by doing preliminary scans on thousands of images, again saving time and improving outcomes. David Rothschild, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The Gateway Tour winner announced his wife’s pregnancy in July 2022 with an Instagram post in which the couple held up ultrasound scans. Adam England, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Though his scans appeared clean entering last year, the injuries persisted for Hernández, who hit .222 with a .599 OPS, six homers and 31 RBIs in 86 games for Boston before being traded to the Dodgers for two prospects on July 25. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scan was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near scan

Cite this Entry

“Scan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scan. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scan

1 of 2 verb
scanned; scanning
1
: to read or mark verses so as to show stress and rhythm
scan poetry
2
a
: to examine thoroughly
scanned their faces for signs of anger
b
: to make a wide sweeping search of
scanning the field with binoculars
c
: to look through or over hastily
scanned the headlines
d
: 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
scan the photos into the computer
3
: to move across in successive lines to form an image on a cathode-ray tube
the electron beam scans the face of the picture tube

scan

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or process of scanning
2
: an image formed by scanning something: as
a
: a picture of the distribution of radioactive material in something (as a bodily organ)
b
: a picture of part of the body made (as by a computer) by combining separate pictures taken from different angles or of different sections

Medical Definition

scan

1 of 2 verb
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

2 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on scan

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