[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/scan.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / scan

[← S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/S/)

# scan

«scan» in Mova's school dictionary: **to look quickly over something to find a particular piece…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

verb (scan, scans, scanned, scanning); noun (a scan, scans)

### meaning for a pupil

1) To scan means to look quickly over something to find a particular piece of information («scan the page for the date»). [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#m1)

2) To scan means to look carefully all around an area («scan the horizon»). [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#m2)

3) To scan a picture or document means to copy it into a computer using a machine called a scanner; a shop scans barcodes to read prices. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#m3)

4) A scan is a medical picture of the inside of the body, made by a machine («an ultrasound scan»). [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#m4)

5) A poem scans when its rhythm is correct. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#m5)

### sense in the lessons

In reading lessons «scanning» is a skill: moving your eyes quickly to find a key word, name or number, while «skimming» gets the main idea. In everyday life barcodes, QR codes and tickets are scanned. In science and health, hospitals use scans (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound). Phrases: «scan for», «scan the room», «a quick scan», «baby scan».

### examples

- Scan the text to find the name of the river. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x1)
- The lifeguard scanned the pool for swimmers in trouble. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x2)
- The checkout girl scanned the barcode. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x3)
- Mum showed us the scan of the new baby. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x4)
- I scanned my drawing and emailed it to Grandad. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x5)
- The doctor sent him for a scan of his knee. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x6)
- Scan the road both ways before you cross. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x7)
- Scan the QR code to see the menu. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x8)
- His keen eyes scanned the wide plain. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/#x9)

### note

Double n before -ed and -ing: «scanned», «scanning». The machine is a «scanner». Trap: scanning (looking for one detail) is different from skimming (getting the general idea).

### In the corpora

- [A scan picture is made by a machine that uses sound waves to see the baby inside the body without hurting.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/18-were-having-a-baby/10/)
- [AI can help doctors spot patterns in scans such as X-rays; doctors still check and decide.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/ai/17-voice-assistants-recommendations/13/)
- [Scanning means looking quickly through a text for a key word or number.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/17-retrieval-finding-the-answer-in-the-text/16/)
- [You scan or sign a library book out and return it by the due date, because others are waiting for it.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/259-library-and-books/5/)
- [A QR code on an unknown poster can lead to a scam site, so ask an adult before scanning one.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/282-chain-messages-lures-and-scam-messages/26/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «scan» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/scan/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.