scanner

noun

scan·​ner ˈska-nər 

: 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 ct scanner

Examples of scanner in a Sentence

a price scanner at a supermarket

Recent Examples on the Web

Gemini Nano can provide AI directly on scanners, sensors and controllers for autonomous operations. —Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024

But today barcode scanners have eliminated the need to tag each product and for cashiers—when they are even used—to key in prices. —Bill Conerly, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

That is the ballot that the voter puts into a scanner, which records the votes. —Kate Brumback, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2024

Basically, Bateman targets Egerton to let his mysterious suitcase through the security scanners and onto the airplane. —Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing scanner

• CAT scanner
• CT scanner

Kids 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