: 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 also ct scanner
Examples of scanner in a Sentence
a price scanner at a supermarket
Recent Examples on the Web
The prosthetic leg was put through the X-ray scanner, revealing a folding knife in the underside heel of the foot.
—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
González also recommends using your phone’s camera to scan the QR code instead of a scanner app, as the native camera shows the full link before opening it.
—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
They are already used in technologies such as quantum computers, MRI scanners, fusion reactors, and maglev trains.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 June 2026
Some physicians skeptical of using Midjourney for widespread cancer screening have raised legitimate questions about whether radiologists can interpret potentially vast new data sets from scanners that are not yet FDA approved.
—
Paul Hsieh,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scanner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
González also recommends using your phone’s camera to scan the QR code instead of a scanner app, as the native camera shows the full link before opening it.
—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
They are already used in technologies such as quantum computers, MRI scanners, fusion reactors, and maglev trains.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 June 2026
Some physicians skeptical of using Midjourney for widespread cancer screening have raised legitimate questions about whether radiologists can interpret potentially vast new data sets from scanners that are not yet FDA approved.
—
Paul Hsieh,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for scanner
Cite this Entry
“Scanner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scanner. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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
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