English Reference
noun

scanner

n.
US /ˈskænɝ/ UK /skˈænɐ/ scan·ner UK spelling scanner's, scanner's

  1. 01 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    digitisercopier
  2. 02 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    imaging machine
  3. 03 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    barcode readerpricing gun
  4. 04 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.

    Simple

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

    In context

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


From scan + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated