Scan

/skæn/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To examine sequentially, carefully, or critically; to scrutinize; to behold closely..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To examine sequentially, carefully, or critically; to scrutinize; to behold closely.
2. (transitive) To look about for; to look over quickly.
3. (computing, medicine, transitive) To create an image of something with the use of a scanner.
4. (computing, transitive) To read with an electronic device.
5. (obsolete, transitive, originally) To mount by steps; to go through with step by step.
6. (poetry, transitive) To read or mark so as to show a specific metre.
7. (poetry, intransitive) To conform to a metrical structure.
8. A close investigation.

Example Sentences

She scanned the passage carefully but could not find what she was looking for.

He scanned the horizon.

Yet the incident did not in the least diminish my respect for my teacher. I was by nature blind to the faults of elders. Later I came to know of many other failings of this teacher, but my regard for him remained the same. For I had learnt to carry out the orders of elders, not to scan their actions.

Slowly, he scanned the horizon, listening, watching for the signs he had been taught.

As the 1857 to Manchester Piccadilly rolls in, I scan the windows and realise there are plenty of spare seats, so I hop aboard. The train is a '221'+'220' combo to allow for social distancing - a luxury on an XC train as normally you're playing sardines, so I make the most of it.

to scan a photograph

to scan internal organs by means of computed tomography

Pencil drawings don't scan very well.

Synonyms for scan

Antonyms for scan

Related Words

Word Forms

• scans
• scanning
• scanned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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