# scanning

/ˈskænɪŋ/ (US) · /skˈænɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scanning
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. reading quickly

noun · CEFR B1

reading a text very quickly to find a specific piece of information.

For teachers: the reading technique of glancing through a text to locate specific facts or keywords without reading every word.

- Scanning the list for her name only took a few seconds.
- Effective scanning allows researchers to filter through vast amounts of data to identify relevant citations before committing to a deeper reading of the text.

### 2. digital imaging

noun · CEFR B1

using a machine to copy a document or picture into a computer.

For teachers: the process of using an electronic device to convert physical documents or images into digital formats.

- The scanning of these old photos will help preserve them forever.
- The high-resolution scanning of the architectural blueprints ensured that every fine detail was preserved in the digital archive.

### 3. medical imaging

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a medical test that uses a machine to see inside your body.

For teachers: the use of medical technology, such as ultrasound or MRI, to produce images of internal body structures for diagnostic purposes.

- The doctor ordered a brain scanning to check for any injuries.
- Advanced scanning techniques have revolutionised the early detection of tumours, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of patient health.

### 4. looking or checking

verb · CEFR B1

looking at every part of something carefully to find a specific thing.

For teachers: the act of examining a surface, area, or data set systematically to detect a specific feature or anomaly.

- He was scanning the horizon for any sign of the missing boat.
- Security personnel spent the afternoon scanning the crowd for any suspicious activity near the entrance of the stadium.

## Examples

- Scanning the menu helped me find the vegetarian options quickly.
- By scanning the index of the textbook, the student located the chapter on cellular biology in seconds.
- Effective research requires a combination of deep reading for comprehension and rapid scanning to identify relevant citations within a vast corpus of academic literature.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.