ENGLISH
REFERENCE

scan

n. countable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈskæn// UK //skˈæn// scan Archaic General-service

n. a quick look at something to find information, or a medical picture of the inside of your body. You might get one at a hospital or use a machine to make a digital copy of a paper document.

n. an examination of the body or an object using specialized equipment to produce a digital image; also, a brief look through a text to locate specific data. Often used in medical, computing, or organizational contexts.


SIMPLE

The doctor ordered a brain scan to check for injuries.

CONTEXTUAL

After a quick scan of the morning headlines, she realized the train strike would delay her commute.

COMPLEX

Advanced medical imaging provides a high-resolution scan that allows surgeons to map out delicate procedures with significantly higher precision than traditional X-rays allowed.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly paired with the verbs 'perform', 'conduct', or 'give'.

© 2026 English Reference