ENGLISH
REFERENCE

scanner

n.
US //ˈskænɝ// UK //skˈænɐ// scan·ner
  1. 1 document scanner (n.)
    A2 Elementary Computing

    a machine that copies paper documents or photos and turns them into digital files on a computer.

    an optical device that digitises physical documents, photographs, or text for electronic storage and processing.

    Example

    I used the scanner to send a digital copy of my passport to the bank.

    Example

    The office upgraded to a high-speed scanner to facilitate the digitisation of their extensive paper archives.

    • digitiser
    • copier
  2. 2 medical scanner (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    a large medical machine that takes pictures of the inside of your body.

    a diagnostic device, such as an MRI or CT machine, that uses radiation or ultrasound to produce internal images of a patient.

    Example

    The doctor sent him to the hospital for a brain scanner to check his injury.

    Example

    The hospital recently invested in a state-of-the-art MRI scanner to improve the accuracy of early-stage cancer detections.

    • imaging machine
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  1. 3 barcode reader (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a small device used in shops to read the price and information on a product.

    an optical input device used to read and decode printed barcodes or QR codes, typically for retail or inventory purposes.

    Example

    The cashier used a handheld scanner to check the price of the milk.

    Example

    Warehouse staff use wireless scanners to track inventory levels in real-time as shipments arrive at the loading dock.

    • barcode reader
    • pricing gun
  2. 4 radio scanner (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    a radio that automatically searches through different frequencies to find a signal.

    a radio receiver that automatically tunes through a sequence of frequencies to monitor transmissions.

    Example

    He listened to the local emergency services on his radio scanner.

    Example

    The hobbyist used a sophisticated scanner to monitor air traffic control frequencies from his home near the airport.

Origin

From scan + -er.

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