1. An electronic device that generates a digital representation of an image for data input to a computer
   "She used a digital scanner to preserve old family photographs";
   - digital scanner, image scanner
    
2. A radio receiver that moves automatically across some selected range of frequencies looking for some signal or condition
   "they used scanners to monitor police radio channels"; "The police used an electronic scanner to monitor emergency frequencies";
   - electronic scanner
    
3. A radar dish that rotates or oscillates in order to scan a broad area
   "The airport's scanner detected incoming aircraft from miles away"
    
4. Someone who scans verse to determine the number and prosodic value of the syllables
   "The scanner analysed the poem's meter to identify its rhythmic pattern"

Derived forms: scanners

Type of: data input device, detector, dish, dish aerial, dish antenna, electronic device, input device, reader, referee, reviewer, saucer

Encyclopedia: Scanner