B1nounhealthtechnology
US/skæn/
UK/skæn/
a medical test where a machine makes a picture of the inside of the body; also a quick look
In context
The doctor sent her for a brain scan after she hit her head.
At twenty weeks, the ultrasound scan showed that the baby was healthy.
I gave the contract a quick scan but didn't read the small print.
Words that go with scan
verb + noun
- have a scanYou need to have a scan before the operation.
noun + noun
- brain scanThe brain scan did not show any damage.
- ultrasound scanPregnant women usually have an ultrasound scan every few months.
- CT scanA CT scan can find problems that a normal X-ray misses.
adjective + noun
- quick scanA quick scan of the headlines told me nothing new had happened.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I went to the hospital to do a scan.Correct: I went to the hospital to have a scan.