Scan vs. Sweep — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 26, 2024
Scanning involves a detailed, focused examination, often for specific information, while sweeping is a broad, general search or movement.
Difference Between Scan and Sweep
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Scanning is a methodical process used to look over or through something carefully, especially with the intent to identify specific information or items within a larger set. This term is frequently used in contexts such as reading, where one might scan a text to find particular facts or figures, or in security, where equipment is used to scan an area for threats or contraband. Sweeping, on the other hand, implies a broader, more comprehensive approach. In a physical sense, it refers to moving in a wide or continuous curve, such as when using a broom to clean a floor, effectively covering every part of the surface.
In the context of searching or examining, scanning is precise and directed, typically used when the searcher knows what they are looking for and wishes to find it efficiently. Sweeping, however, is used when the goal is to cover all possible areas, often as a precaution or to ensure that nothing is missed, even if it means reviewing a lot of irrelevant information or material along the way.
The choice between scanning and sweeping depends on the objectives and constraints of the task at hand. For instance, in emergency response scenarios, a sweeping approach may be initially employed to assess the overall situation, followed by targeted scanning efforts to address specific needs or threats identified during the initial sweep.
Technological applications often mirror these differences, with scanning technologies designed to identify or capture particular types of data or images, while sweeping mechanisms (like radar sweeps) are used to monitor or search over broad areas, providing a general overview that can guide further, more detailed investigations.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Detailed examination for specific information.
Broad, general search or movement.
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Focus
Specific details or items.
Entire area or scope.
Contexts
Reading for specific information, security checks.
Cleaning floors, wide-ranging reforms or changes.
Objective
Efficiency in finding particular details.
Comprehensive coverage to ensure nothing is missed.
Technological Use
Identifying or capturing particular data.
Monitoring broad areas, like radar sweeps.
Compare with Definitions
Scan
To look at carefully or thoroughly, especially in search of something specific.
She scanned the crowd for a familiar face.
Sweep
To clean or clear, as if with a broom.
The janitor swept the hallways every morning.
Scan
A process in technology to capture an image or data.
The document was scanned into the computer for digital storage.
Sweep
In electronics, a continuous monitoring or searching action.
The radar sweep detected several ships approaching the harbor.
Scan
In security, to examine for forbidden or dangerous items.
Bags were scanned at the airport for any prohibited items.
Sweep
A wide-ranging movement or action.
The lighthouse beam made a sweeping arc across the sea.
Scan
To read or glance through quickly to find specific information.
He scanned the report for the final statistics.
Sweep
To conduct a comprehensive search or survey.
The search party swept the forest for the missing hikers.
Scan
Medical imaging to examine the body.
The MRI scan provided detailed images of the brain.
Sweep
Encompassing a wide range of areas or subjects.
The new law introduced sweeping changes to the healthcare system.
Scan
To look at carefully or thoroughly, especially in search of something; examine
The sailor scanned the horizon for signs of land.
Sweep
To clean or clear, as of dirt, with a broom or brush
Sweep a chimney.
Scan
To look over quickly or read hastily
I scanned the newspaper while eating breakfast.
Sweep
To clear away with a broom or brush
Swept snow from the steps.
Scan
(Computers)To search (stored data) automatically for specific data.
Sweep
To clear (a path or space) with a broom or brush.
Scan
To direct a finely focused beam of light or electrons in a systematic pattern over (a surface) in order to reproduce or sense and subsequently transmit an image.
Sweep
To search thoroughly
The counselors swept the dormitory during the fire drill.
Scan
To direct a radar beam in a systematic pattern across (a sector of sky) in search of a target.
Sweep
To search for and remove (electronic eavesdropping devices) from a place
Swept the room for bugs.
Scan
To encode (text, for example) in digital format by means of an optical scanner.
Sweep
To touch or brush lightly, as with a trailing garment
Willow branches sweeping the ground.
Scan
(Medicine)To direct x-rays or other energy at (a body or body part) in order to produce an image, as with a CT scanner.
Sweep
To pass over or through a surface or medium with a continuous movement
He swept the sponge over the tile. The conductor swept her baton through the air.
Scan
To pass (luggage, for example) through a detector at a security checkpoint in order to detect weapons or banned materials.
Sweep
To clear, drive, or convey with relentless force
The flood waters swept away everything in their path.
Scan
To analyze (verse) into metrical patterns.
Sweep
To wipe out at a single stroke. Often used with away
The incident in effect swept away all her dreams.
Scan
To analyze verse into metrical patterns.
Sweep
To remove or carry off with a swift brushing motion
Swept the cards off the table.
Swept the child into his arms.
Scan
To conform to a metrical pattern
Does this line scan?.
Sweep
To move across or through swiftly or broadly
News of the lunar landing swept the country.
Scan
The act or an instance of scanning
My scan of the files.
Sweep
To pass quickly across, as when searching
His gaze swept the horizon.
Scan
The action or process of scanning a body or body part.
Sweep
To drag the bottom of (a body of water).
Scan
An image produced by scanning.
Sweep
To win all games in (a series) or all stages of (a contest)
Swept the World Series.
Scan
(transitive) To examine sequentially, carefully, or critically; to scrutinize; to behold closely.
She scanned the passage carefully but could not find what she was looking for.
Sweep
To win overwhelmingly in
The opposition party swept the election.
Scan
(transitive) To look about for; to look over quickly.
He scanned the horizon.
Sweep
To clean or clear a surface with a broom or brush.
Scan
To inspect, analyse or go over, often to find something.
To scan the hard drive for errors
Sweep
To search an area for something.
Scan
To perform lexical analysis; to tokenize.
Sweep
To search for and remove electronic eavesdropping devices.
Scan
To create an image of something with the use of a scanner.
To scan a photograph
To scan internal organs by means of computed tomography
Pencil drawings don't scan very well.
Sweep
To move swiftly or broadly
The wind swept over the plain.
Scan
To read with an electronic device.
To scan a barcode
To scan a QR code
Sweep
To move swiftly in a lofty manner, as if in a trailing robe
She swept by in silence.
Scan
To mount by steps; to go through with step by step.
Sweep
To trail, as a long garment.
Scan
To read or mark so as to show a specific metre.
To scan verse
Sweep
To extend gracefully, especially in a long curve
The hills sweep down to the sea.
Scan
(intransitive) To conform to a metrical structure.
Sweep
To extend in a wide range
Searchlights swept across the sky.
Scan
Close investigation.
Sweep
A clearing out or removal with a broom or brush.
Scan
(computing) An instance of scanning.
The operators vacated the room during the scan.
Sweep
A thorough search of an area
A police sweep for drug dealers.
Scan
(computing) The result or output of a scanning process.
The doctors looked at the scans and made a diagnosis.
Sweep
A search for and removal of electronic eavesdropping devices, as in a room.
Scan
To mount by steps; to go through with step by step.
Nor stayed till she the highest stage had scand.
Sweep
A wide curving motion
A sweep of the arm.
Scan
Specifically (Pros.), to go through with, as a verse, marking and distinguishing the feet of which it is composed; to show, in reading, the metrical structure of; to recite metrically.
Sweep
A curve or contour that resembles the path of sweeping motion
The sweep of her hair.
Scan
To go over and examine point by point; to examine with care; to look closely at or into; to scrutinize.
The actions of men in high stations are all conspicuous, and liable to be scanned and sifted.
Sweep
An extent or stretch
A sweep of green lawn.
Scan
To examine quickly, from point to point, in search of something specific; as, to scan an article for mention of a particular person.
Sweep
Range or scope
The broad sweep of history.
Scan
To form an image or an electronic representation of, by passing a beam of light or electrons over, and detecting and recording the reflected or transmitted signal.
Sweep
(Football) An end run in which one or more linemen leave the line of scrimmage and block in advance of the ball carrier.
Scan
The act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region;
He made a thorough scan of the beach with his binoculars
Sweep
One who sweeps, especially a chimney sweep.
Scan
An image produced by scanning;
He analyzed the brain scan
You could see the tumor in the CAT scan
Sweep
Sweeps Sweepings.
Scan
Examine minutely or intensely;
The surgeon scanned the X-ray
Sweep
The winning of all stages of a game or contest.
Scan
Examine hastily;
She scanned the newspaper headlines while waiting for the taxi
Sweep
An overwhelming victory or success.
Scan
Make a wide, sweeping search of;
The beams scanned the night sky
Sweep
A long oar used to propel a boat.
Scan
Conform to a metrical pattern
Sweep
A long pole attached to a pivot and used to raise or lower a bucket in a well.
Scan
Move a light beam over; in electronics, to reproduce an image
Sweep
Sweeps (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Informal Sweepstakes.
Scan
Read metrically;
Scan verses
Sweep
Sweeps The period each fall, winter, and spring when television ratings are accrued and studied and advertising rates are reset.
Scan
Obtain data from magnetic tapes;
This dictionary can be read by the computer
Sweep
The national survey of local stations that is conducted to determine these ratings.
Sweep
The steady motion of an electron beam across a cathode-ray tube.
Sweep
(transitive) To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush.
To sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney
Sweep
(intransitive) To move through a (horizontal) arc or similar long stroke.
The wind sweeps across the plain.
The offended countess swept out of the ballroom.
Sweep
(transitive) To search (a place) methodically.
Sweep
To travel quickly.
Sweep
(cricket) To play a sweep shot.
Sweep
(curling) To brush the ice in front of a moving stone, causing it to travel farther and to curl less.
Sweep
To move something in a long sweeping motion, as a broom.
Sweep
To win (a series) without drawing or losing any of the games in that series.
Sweep
To defeat (a team) in a series without drawing or losing any of the games in that series.
Sweep
(military) To clear (a body of water or part thereof) of mines.
The channel was swept twice before the battlefleet proceeded through it.
Sweep
(transitive) To remove something abruptly and thoroughly.
She swept the peelings off the table onto the floor.
The wind sweeps the snow from the hills.
The flooded river swept away the wooden dam.
Sweep
To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
Sweep
To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
Sweep
To strike with a long stroke.
Sweep
(rowing) To row with one oar to either the port or starboard side.
Sweep
(nautical) To draw or drag something over.
To sweep the bottom of a river with a net
Sweep
To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation.
To sweep the heavens with a telescope
Sweep
To vacuum a carpet or rug.
Sweep
A single action of sweeping.
Give the front steps a quick sweep to get rid of those fallen leaves.
Sweep
The person who steers a dragon boat.
Sweep
A person who stands at the stern of a surf boat, steering with a steering oar and commanding the crew.
Sweep
A chimney sweep.
Sweep
A methodical search, typically for bugs electronic listening devices.
Sweep
(cricket) A batsman's shot, played from a kneeling position with a swinging horizontal bat.
Bradman attempted a sweep, but in fact top edged the ball to the wicket keeper
Sweep
A lottery, usually on the results of a sporting event, where players win if their randomly chosen team wins.
Jim will win fifty dollars in the office sweep if Japan wins the World Cup.
Sweep
A flow of water parallel to shore caused by wave action at an ocean beach or at a point or headland.
Sweep
(aviation) The degree to which an aircraft's wings are angled backwards (or, occasionally, forwards) from their attachments to the fuselage.
The MiG-17's inner wing has 45 degrees of sweep.
Sweep
(martial arts) A throw or takedown that primarily uses the legs to attack an opponent's legs.
Sweep
Violent and general destruction.
The sweep of an epidemic disease
Sweep
(metalworking) A movable template for making moulds, in loam moulding.
Sweep
(card games) In the game casino, the act of capturing all face-up cards from the table.
Sweep
The compass of any turning body or of any motion.
The sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye
Sweep
Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, etc. away from a rectilinear line.
Sweep
A large oar used in small vessels, partly to propel them and partly to steer them.
Sweep
(rowing) A rowing style in which each rower rows with oar on either the port or starboard side.
I am primarily a sweep rower.
Sweep
The almond furnace.
Sweep
A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water.
Sweep
Any of the blades of a windmill.
Sweep
(in the plural) The sweepings of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.
Sweep
Any of several sea chubs in the family Kyphosidae (subfamily Scorpidinae).
Sweep
An expanse or a swath, a strip of land.
Sweep
To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney. Used also figuratively.
I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
Sweep
To drive or carry along or off with a broom or a brush, or as if with a broom; to remove by, or as if by, brushing; as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the wind sweeps the snow from the hills; a freshet sweeps away a dam, timber, or rubbish; a pestilence sweeps off multitudes.
The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies.
I have already swept the stakes.
Sweep
To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
Their long descending train,With rubies edged and sapphires, swept the plain.
Sweep
To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
And like a peacock sweep along his tail.
Sweep
To strike with a long stroke.
Wake into voice each silent string,And sweep the sounding lyre.
Sweep
To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the bottom of a river with a net.
Sweep
To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a telescope.
Sweep
To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust, dirt, litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like.
Sweep
To brush swiftly over the surface of anything; to pass with switness and force, as if brushing the surface of anything; to move in a stately manner; as, the wind sweeps across the plain; a woman sweeps through a drawing-room.
Sweep
To pass over anything comprehensively; to range through with rapidity; as, his eye sweeps through space.
Sweep
The act of sweeping.
Sweep
The compass or range of a stroke; as, a long sweep.
Sweep
The compass of any turning body or of any motion; as, the sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye.
Sweep
The compass of anything flowing or brushing; as, the flood carried away everything within its sweep.
Sweep
Violent and general destruction; as, the sweep of an epidemic disease.
Sweep
Direction and extent of any motion not rectlinear; as, the sweep of a compass.
Sweep
Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, or the like, away from a rectlinear line.
The road which makes a small sweep.
Sweep
One who sweeps; a sweeper; specifically, a chimney sweeper.
Sweep
A movable templet for making molds, in loam molding.
Sweep
The mold of a ship when she begins to curve in at the rungheads; any part of a ship shaped in a segment of a circle.
Sweep
The almond furnace.
Sweep
A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water.
Sweep
In the game of casino, a pairing or combining of all the cards on the board, and so removing them all; in whist, the winning of all the tricks (thirteen) in a hand; a slam.
Sweep
The sweeping of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.
Sweep
A wide scope;
The sweep of the plains
Sweep
Someone who cleans soot from chimneys
Sweep
Winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge
Sweep
A long oar used in an open boat
Sweep
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line
Sweep
A movement in an arc;
A sweep of his arm
Sweep
Sweep across or over;
Her long skirt brushed the floor
A gasp swept cross the audience
Sweep
Move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions;
The diva swept into the room
Shreds of paper sailed through the air
The searchlights swept across the sky
Sweep
Sweep with a broom or as if with a broom;
Sweep the crumbs off the table
Sweep under the bed
Sweep
Force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action;
They were swept up by the events
Don't drag me into this business
Sweep
To cover or extend over an area or time period;
Rivers traverse the valley floor
The parking lot spans 3 acres
The novel spans three centuries
Sweep
Clean by sweeping;
Please sweep the floor
Sweep
Win an overwhelming victory in or on;
Her new show dog swept all championships
Sweep
Cover the entire range of
Sweep
Make a big sweeping gesture or movement
Common Curiosities
Can scanning and sweeping be used together?
Yes, in many scenarios, a sweeping approach is used to get an overview, followed by scanning for more detailed investigation.
What is the primary difference between scanning and sweeping?
The primary difference lies in their focus and scope: scanning is detailed and focused on specific information, while sweeping is broader and more general.
In what contexts is sweeping preferred?
Sweeping is preferred when the objective is to ensure comprehensive coverage, often as a preliminary step before more focused efforts.
Can sweeping actions lead to discovery of unexpected items or information?
Yes, sweeping actions can uncover unexpected findings due to their comprehensive nature, which may not have been identified through focused scanning.
How do scanning and sweeping apply in security contexts?
In security, sweeping might be used for an initial broad check of an area, while scanning would be for detailed checks of specific threats or items.
How do scanning and sweeping differ in medical contexts?
In medical contexts, scanning refers to detailed imaging of specific body parts, while sweeping is not commonly used in a direct medical sense but may describe broader health surveys or screenings.
Why choose scanning over sweeping?
Scanning is chosen for efficiency when searching for specific information or items, minimizing time spent on irrelevant details.
What technologies utilize scanning?
Technologies such as scanners for documents, barcode readers, and medical imaging devices like MRI and CT scanners utilize scanning.
What does a radar sweep indicate?
A radar sweep indicates a broad monitoring action to detect objects or movement across a wide area.
How does the choice between scanning and sweeping affect efficiency?
The choice affects efficiency by either focusing efforts on specific targets (scanning) or ensuring broad coverage at the expense of detail (sweeping).
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
