: 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
From Hertz's controversial AI vehicle scanners to hotel vape detectors, to airline pricing algorithms possibly jacking up fares, these systems operate in the shadows while your wallet takes a hit.
—
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Essentially, different hospitals, clinics or research facilities use different scanners, with varying calibration, coils and software.
—New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2025
The traveler successfully made it through a transfer in Ethiopia before X-rays scanners at the Thai airport saw a suspicious horn shape within two of his packages, according to the post.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Ultrasound device being tested on patient in MRI scanner.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scanner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Essentially, different hospitals, clinics or research facilities use different scanners, with varying calibration, coils and software.
—New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2025
The traveler successfully made it through a transfer in Ethiopia before X-rays scanners at the Thai airport saw a suspicious horn shape within two of his packages, according to the post.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Ultrasound device being tested on patient in MRI scanner.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 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 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share