interceptor

noun

in·​ter·​cep·​tor ˌin-tər-ˈsep-tər 

variants or less commonly intercepter

: one that intercepts

specifically : a light high-speed fast-climbing fighter plane or missile designed for defense against raiding bombers or missiles

Examples of interceptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The system must support rapid acceleration while allowing the interceptor to maneuver toward its target. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

The Ukrainian president again warned that Russian ballistic missiles pose a severe threat, with Ukrainian interceptor missile stocks thinning and replenishment from Kyiv's foreign partners slow. — David Brennan, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Other types of air defense systems have interceptors that each cost millions of dollars. — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

Zelensky has previously stressed said that an acute shortage of air defense interceptors has left Ukraine vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for interceptor

• chemoreceptor
• acceptor
• preceptor
• receptor
• adrenoceptor
• baroreceptor
• photoreceptor
• scepter
• sceptre

Kids Definition

interceptor

noun

in·​ter·​cep·​tor ˌint-ər-ˈsep-tər 

: one that intercepts

especially : a fast fighter plane designed for defense against bombers