scan
skan
Scan (verb) means to look over something quickly, often searching for particular information. Example: “I scanned the menu quickly, looking for something without nuts.”
verb
1
To look over something quickly, often searching for particular information.
"I scanned the menu quickly, looking for something without nuts."
"He scanned the crowd at the station, hoping to spot his sister."
"She scanned the headlines before heading to work."
2
To examine something closely or systematically, especially using a device or medical equipment.
"Security staff scanned every bag before we boarded the plane."
"The nurse scanned my arm to find the vein."
"The doctor ordered a scan to check for internal injuries."
3
To convert a physical document or image into digital form using a scanner.
"I scanned all my old photographs so they wouldn't get lost."
"Could you scan this form at the library and send me a copy?"
"Please scan the signed contract and email it back."
noun
1
The result of a scanning process, especially a medical image.
"The scan of her ankle showed that the bone was healing well."
"They were delighted when the baby's scan came back normal."
"The scan showed no signs of a fracture."
How to use scan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo look over something quickly or thoroughly, whether it's a page, a document being digitised, or a medical image.
Common pairings
scan the room
get a scan
scan a document
brain scan
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Word forms
- Plural
- scans
- Third person singular
- scans
- Past tense
- scanned
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The doctor ordered a _____ to check for internal injuries.
Etymology
From Late Latin scandere, "to scan verse" (originally about checking a poem's metre), from Latin scandō, "to climb, rise."
Related words
Rhymes for scan
See all rhymes for scan →Frequently asked questions
What does “scan” mean?
The word “scan” means to look over something quickly, often searching for particular information. In plain terms, to look over something quickly or thoroughly, whether it's a page, a document being digitised, or a medical image.
How do you pronounce “scan”?
“Scan” is pronounced skan (/skæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “scan” in a sentence?
Here is “scan” used in a sentence: “She scanned the headlines before heading to work.”
What part of speech is “scan”?
Depending on how it is used, “scan” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “scan” come from?
The word “scan” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin scandere, "to scan verse" (originally about checking a poem's metre), from Latin scandō, "to climb, rise.".
Is “scan” a common word?
“Scan” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “scan” have?
“Scan” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to look over something quickly, often searching for particular information.
Does scan mean to read something quickly or to examine it closely?
Scan carries both senses, and context shows which is meant. You can scan a page quickly in search of a name or a price, but a machine or doctor scans something by examining it closely and systematically, as in a security scan or a medical scan.
What is the difference between scanning and skimming?
In reading skills, skimming means reading quickly to get the general idea of a text, while scanning means running your eyes over it in search of one particular piece of information. You skim a news article for the gist, but you scan a timetable for a specific train time.
What is the difference between a scan and an X-ray?
In everyday medical language, scan is a general word for an imaging test and for the image it produces, covering procedures such as CT, MRI and ultrasound scans. An X-ray is one specific technique, and a CT scan actually uses X-rays taken from many angles to build a more detailed picture.
Is it correct to say you "scan" a document with a phone?
Yes. Scanning a document means converting it into digital form, and phone apps that photograph and process a page are doing exactly that. The verb applies to dedicated desktop scanners and, by extension, to any device that captures a document digitally.
Example sentences
Sentences with a source are quoted from published work. Any opinions in them are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
He scanned the report quickly before the meeting.
The ultrasound scan showed the baby was healthy.
She scanned the room for a familiar face.
Please scan your boarding pass at the gate.
I scanned the old photos so the whole family could see them.
You can scan a barcode without an app, using a barcode scanner that runs in your browser from a photo or your camera.
From
Barcode Scanner
