scan

SKAN/skæn/

Noun pluralscans

14 meanings of scan

1
verbtransitive
To look around a place or group quickly to find someone or something.
Like quickly moving your eyes around a room to find a friend.
She scanned the crowd, looking for her brother.
I scan the shelves whenever I look for a snack.
Similarsurvey, search, sweep, scour, watch
2
verbtransitive
To make a digital picture of something using a scanner.
Like taking a picture of a page so it lives inside your computer.
Please scan this photo so we can email it.
She scanned the document and saved it to her computer.
Similarimage, digitize
Note
3
verbtransitive
To look over something carefully to find what you need.
Like checking each item on a list to find the one you want.
The doctor scanned the test results for anything unusual.
I scan my email each morning for important messages.
Similarcheck, search, inspect, examine, screen
Note
4
verbtransitive
To read something like a barcode using a machine.
Like the beep at a store when a machine reads a barcode.
The cashier scanned each item at the checkout.
You scan the ticket to enter the stadium.
Similarread, swipe
Note
5
nouncountable
The picture or file produced after a scanner copies something.
Like the photo that comes out after you use a copier.
The doctor showed us the scan of my knee.
Her brain scan looked completely normal.
Similarimage, picture
6
nouncountable
A single time that something is checked or imaged by a scanner.
Like one time you take a picture, not the picture itself.
The nurse scheduled a scan for Monday morning.
Each scan takes about twenty minutes to complete.
Similarexamination, screening, test, check
Note
7
verbtransitive
To look at something very carefully and closely.
Like reading every word slowly so you don't miss anything.
The guard scanned every face in the line.
Detectives scan the evidence for the smallest clue.
Similarscrutinize, examine, study, inspect, peruse
Oppositeskim
Note
8
nouncountable
A close, careful reading of something.
Like reading something slowly so you catch every detail.
She gave the letter a careful scan before replying.
One slow scan of the page showed every mistake.
Similarperusal
Oppositeskim, glance
Note
9
nouncountable
A quick reading that skips over the details, like a skim.
Like quickly looking over a page without reading every word.
He gave the newspaper a quick scan over breakfast.
A fast scan of the menu was all she had time for.
Similarskim, glance, look, once-over, browse
Oppositescrutiny, study
10
verbtransitive
To read a line of poetry to show its rhythm and beats.
Like tapping out the beat of a song to find its rhythm.
Students learn to scan a poem to find its rhythm.
The teacher scanned the verse to mark the stressed beats.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From late Middle English scanne, meaning to mark verse to show its rhythm. It came from Late Latin scandere, to scan verse, and earlier Latin scandō, I climb or rise.