Definition

1. Verb:

   • To examine something closely and systematically: To look at all parts of something carefully, often in a methodical way.
   • To look over or read something quickly: To glance through text or an area to get a general idea or find specific information.
   • To convert a physical document or image into a digital format: To use a scanner to create an electronic copy.
   • To analyze the meter or rhythm of a line of poetry: To determine the metrical pattern of verse.
   • To move a beam or detector over an area: To pass an electronic beam (like radar or a laser) across a surface or region to collect data or create an image.

2. Noun:

   • The act of scanning: The process of examining or searching an area systematically.
   • A digital image produced by scanning: An electronic copy or picture created from a physical document or object using a scanner.
   • A medical image: A picture of the inside of the body produced by a scanning machine (e.g., CAT scan, MRI scan).

Examples

• Verb:

  • She had to scan the old photograph into her computer. (To convert to digital format)
  • His eyes quickly scanned the room for an exit. (To look over quickly)
  • The technician will scan the barcode at checkout. (To pass a beam over)
  • The poet asked us to scan the line for its iambic pentameter. (To analyze poetic meter)
  • The radar continues to scan the sky for aircraft. (To sweep an area with a beam)

• Noun:

  • A quick scan of the headlines revealed the major news. (The act of looking quickly)
  • The doctor reviewed the brain scan with the patient. (A medical image)
  • Please send me a scan of the signed contract. (A digital copy from a scanner)

Advanced Usage

• "to scan through": To look through something, such as a document or list, quickly and often superficially.

  • I only had time to scan through the report before the meeting.

• "to scan for": To examine an area or text with the specific purpose of finding something.

  • The software will scan for viruses on your hard drive.

Variants and Related Words

• Scanner (n): A device that converts documents or images into digital data.

  • The office scanner is broken.

• Scanning (n/adj): The action or process of scanning; relating to a scan.

  • The scanning process takes about a minute. (n)
  • The machine has a scanning laser. (adj)

Synonyms

• Verb: Examine, scrutinize, skim, browse, survey, sweep.
• Noun: Examination, survey, image, copy.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Scan over: Similar to 'scan through'; to review something quickly.
  • Could you scan over this email before I send it?

Related Idioms

• (To give something) a once-over: To examine or check something quickly and casually. This is a colloquial synonym for a quick scan.
  • He gave the car engine a once-over before we left.

Noun

1. an image produced by scanning
   • he analyzed the brain scan
   • you could see the tumor in the CAT scan
2. the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
   • he made a thorough scan of the beach with his binoculars

Verb

1. obtain data from magnetic tapes
   • This dictionary can be read by the computer
2. read metrically
   • scan verses
3. move a light beam over; in electronics, to reproduce an image
4. conform to a metrical pattern
5. make a wide, sweeping search of
   • The beams scanned the night sky
6. examine hastily
   • She scanned the newspaper headlines while waiting for the taxi
7. examine minutely or intensely
   • the surgeon scanned the X-ray