Scan the Barcode: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：Read a barcode (scan the barcode)

scan the barcode 🔊

/skæn ðə ˈbɑːrkoʊd/

v.phr.

To use a scanner or camera to read the information stored in a barcode.

Smartphone scanning a product barcode in a supermarket

Read a barcode 🔊

➕

/riːd ə ˈbɑːrkoʊd/

v.phr.

To use a device (scanner or camera) to capture the pattern of black stripes and spaces on a product, converting it into digital information such as price and product name.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'scandere' (to climb) + 'bar' (strip) + 'code' (system of symbols).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a scanner climbing up and down the black bars like a ladder to read the hidden code.

📖 Example

At the self-checkout, I just need to scan the barcode of each item, and the price appears on the screen automatically. 🔊 At the self-checkout, I just need to scan the barcode of each item, and the price appears on the screen automatically.

🔗 Collocations

scan a product barcode – Use a scanner to read a product's barcode

barcode scanner device – A handheld or fixed device designed to read barcodes

quickly scan the barcode – Perform the scanning action rapidly

🔄 Synonyms

read a barcode (v.phr.) – To interpret the information encoded in a barcode pattern

swipe the barcode (v.phr.) – To pass a barcode over a reader (less common but used in some contexts)

decode the barcode (v.phr.) – To convert the barcode pattern into readable data

🚫 Antonyms

obscure the barcode (v.phr.) – To hide or block the barcode so it cannot be read

ignore the barcode (v.phr.) – To not use or pay attention to the barcode when processing an item

manually enter the code (v.phr.) – To type the product number by hand instead of scanning

🌱 Derivatives

scannable (adj.) – Capable of being scanned by a reader

barcoded (adj.) – Marked with a barcode

scanner (n.) – A device used to read barcodes or other optical data

📖 Cultural Story

Barcodes were invented in 1949 by Norman Woodland, inspired by Morse code. Scanning them became common in retail during the 1970s, revolutionizing inventory tracking.