: 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
Dogs must also have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them; and must be at least 6 months old and appear healthy at time of entry.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Non-eligible computer items for tax-free weekend include: Monitors, keyboards, speakers, and scanners sold separately from computers
Individually purchased software or other software not part of a preloaded software package at the initial purchase of a computer.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 25 July 2025
Rather than risk ruining the scrolls, museum researchers requested to borrow a 3D X-ray topographical scanner from the country’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).
—Andrew Paul Jul 24, Popular Science, 24 July 2025
On March 7, a TSA body scanner at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey went off after a Pennsylvania man walked through.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scanner
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Non-eligible computer items for tax-free weekend include: Monitors, keyboards, speakers, and scanners sold separately from computers
Individually purchased software or other software not part of a preloaded software package at the initial purchase of a computer.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 25 July 2025
Rather than risk ruining the scrolls, museum researchers requested to borrow a 3D X-ray topographical scanner from the country’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM).
—Andrew Paul Jul 24, Popular Science, 24 July 2025
On March 7, a TSA body scanner at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey went off after a Pennsylvania man walked through.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 24 July 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 5 Aug. 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
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