scan

1 of 2

verb

ˈskan 

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

ˈska-nə-bəl 

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

Synonyms

Verb

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

Noun

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

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

Cash and credit card users must purchase a ticket at the machine at the station and scan their ticket before boarding the bus. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024

While a few men stood guard, scanning the forest edges, others moved through the tents and a cookhouse area, searching for anything that might provide a clue to who controls the mines. —Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

Each package comes with a QR sticker that when scanned leads to directions on how to use the test strips. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Unlike the other possibilities — most of them small-state governors and obscure congresspersons — Pompeo comes fully vetted in a year when the media will surely give Trump’s choice a full, head-to-toe body scan. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 27 Mar. 2024

Workers would scan packages at the Amazon warehouse in Milwaukee and use their personal vehicles to deliver them, using a route suggested by Amazon. —Scott Bauer, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024

The latter scans files as they are downloaded from the web, looking for malware that could harm your machine. —PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024

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

Noun

The technology scans shows to determine the behaviors and emotions featured in specific episodes of a larger series that are shown through both streaming and linear television. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

Brain scans later showed tissue damage and volume loss similar to those found in persistent concussion syndrome. —Nik Popli, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024

Cancer still seemed unlikely, but that ambiguous scan was enough to get everyone’s attention. —Lauren Gray, SELF, 1 Apr. 2024

An abnormal scan likewise does not always signal COVID. —Leah Groth, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

Brain scans of people who spend time outdoors show their prefrontal cortex has more gray matter plus a stronger ability to think clearly and self-regulate stress and anxiety. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Clinical trials of all three amyloid-removing drugs have side effects visible on brain scans, such as brain swelling and bleeding. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024

But the findings, including the absence of CTE, mirror other postmortem scans of service members’ brains, according to Dr. James Stone, who was enlisted by NATO in 2021 to help develop guidelines for preventing serious brain injuries in service members. —Melissa Chan, NBC News, 17 Mar. 2024

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

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

Phrases Containing scan

• CT scan
• side-scan sonar
• CAT scan
• PET scan

Kids Definition

scan

1 of 2 verb

ˈskan 

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

ˈskan 

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