Definition

Noun: A hardware device that optically captures a physical image, such as a photograph or document, and converts it into a digital format that can be stored, edited, or transmitted by a computer.

Usage

An image scanner is used to digitize flat, physical media. It functions by moving a light sensor across the item or moving the item past the sensor. The primary use is to create a digital copy (often a JPEG, PNG, or PDF file) of a hard-copy document or picture for computer use.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I used an image scanner to digitize my old family photos.
  • Please place the document face down on the glass of the image scanner.
  • The quality of the digital copy depends on the resolution of your image scanner.

Advanced Usage

• "to scan" (verb): The action performed by an image scanner.
  • I need to scan this contract and email it.
• "scanned image" (noun phrase): The resulting digital file.
  • The scanned image was clear and easy to read.

Variants and Related Words

• Scanner: A common shortened form for "image scanner."
  • The office scanner is out of paper.
• Flatbed scanner: A common type of image scanner with a flat glass plate.
• Document scanner: A type of image scanner often designed for high-volume text document digitization.
• Scanning (gerund/noun): The process of using an image scanner.

Synonyms

• Optical scanner
• Digitizer (in this specific context)

Related Phrasal Verbs / Compound Terms

• Scan in: To input something into a computer using a scanner.
  • Can you scan in these pages for the report?

Noun

1. an electronic device that generates a digital representation of an image for data input to a computer