scanner

[ skan-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that scans.
2. Also called op·ti·cal read·er [op, -ti-k, uh, l , ree, -der],. Computers. a device that scans printed, handwritten, barcode, or other visual data and encodes it into digital format. optical scanning.
3. Photography. any device for exposing an image on film, a sensitized plate, etc., by tracing light along a series of many closely spaced parallel lines.
4. (in aerial photography) a device for estimating the ratio of aircraft speed to aircraft altitude.
5. a photoelectric device for scanning a picture to determine automatically the density of the hue or value in each area for transmission by wire or radio or for preparation of color process printing plates.
6. a computer-aided electronic system using photoelectric cells to separate copy, as color illustrations, into its primary colors, correct color copy, and produce a set of color separations ready for proofing or printing.
7. Radio. a radio receiver, used especially by police, firefighters, and the press, that continuously tunes to preselected frequencies, broadcasting any signal that it detects.
8. Medicine/Medical, Biology. a device for examining a body, organ, tissue, or other biologically active material. CAT scanner, MR scanner, PET scanner, sonogram.

scanner

/ ˈskænə /

noun

1. a person or thing that scans
2. a device, usually electronic, used to measure or sample the distribution of some quantity or condition in a particular system, region, or area
3. an aerial or similar device designed to transmit or receive signals, esp radar signals, inside a given solid angle of space, thus allowing a particular region to be scanned
4. any of various devices used in medical diagnosis to obtain an image of an internal organ or part See CAT scanner nuclear magnetic resonance scanner ultrasound scanner
5. informal.
   a television outside broadcast vehicle
6. short for optical scanner
7. printing an electronic device which scans printed material and converts it to digital form

Word History and Origins

Origin of scanner¹

First recorded in 1550–60; scan + -er ¹

Example Sentences

When it leaves the body, it can be detected to show its size and location on a scanner.

From BBC

Two additional operating theatres, and a MRI scanner to increase surgical and diagnostic capacity, were installed at Forth Valley Royal Hospital as part of the NTC project and are already up and running.

From BBC

Metro officials declined to reveal the name of the vendor at a press conference on Wednesday, but the Evolv logo was emblazoned on the scanner along with the Metro branding.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, every 5th, 10th or 20th commuter could be asked to pass through the scanner to check for hidden weapons.

From Los Angeles Times

If the scanner detects a concealed firearm, Metro security officers will check whether the person has a permit before calling police to investigate, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times