look at all parts of (something) carefully in order to detect some feature

he raised his binoculars to scan the coast

cause (a surface, object, or part of the body) to be traversed by a detector or an electromagnetic beam

their brains are scanned so that researchers can monitor the progress of the disease

analyse the metre of (a line of verse) by reading with the emphasis on its rhythm or by examining the pattern of feet or syllables

an act of scanning someone or something

a quick scan of the sports page

a medical examination using a scanner

a brain scan