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
Most countries are likely to oppose the idea of deploying huge numbers of weapons in space – and these interceptors would be both expensive and vulnerable.
—
Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 6 June 2025
Kyodo News/Getty Images Tokyo has also ramped up cooperation with Washington, its only official treaty ally, pledging more than $3 billion this year to purchase missile interceptors and a mobile reconnaissance radar for Okinawa, which hosts a large presence of U.S. military bases.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 June 2025
Among the requests were more air defenses, including Patriot Missile systems and interceptors.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 4 June 2025
More recently, Mavics armed with sawn-off shotgun attachments have taken on the role of interceptors shooting down enemy scouts and bombers.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interceptor
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Matthew Bunn, The Conversation, 6 June 2025
Kyodo News/Getty Images Tokyo has also ramped up cooperation with Washington, its only official treaty ally, pledging more than $3 billion this year to purchase missile interceptors and a mobile reconnaissance radar for Okinawa, which hosts a large presence of U.S. military bases.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 June 2025
Among the requests were more air defenses, including Patriot Missile systems and interceptors.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 4 June 2025
More recently, Mavics armed with sawn-off shotgun attachments have taken on the role of interceptors shooting down enemy scouts and bombers.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interceptor
Cite this Entry
“Interceptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interceptor. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interceptor
noun
in·ter·cep·tor
ˌint-ər-ˈsep-tər
: one that intercepts
especially
: a fast fighter plane designed for defense against bombers
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