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

Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor and military commentator, told Chinese media the aircraft could act as the vanguard of an assault on Taiwan, forcing the island to expend expensive interceptors such as the Patriot and Taiwan’s indigenous Tien Chien-2 missiles. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025

The Arrow missile interceptor made by Israeli arms manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) successfully intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles at high altitude during the 12-day conflict over the summer. —Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

Once the acoustic system pinpoints a drone's location, troops can shoot it down themselves or use mitigation systems like Fortem Technologies' low collateral effect interceptor drone. —Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025

Ukraine is producing advanced interceptors at pace. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for interceptor

• baroreceptor
• chemoreceptor
• acceptor
• preceptor
• receptor
• adrenoceptor
• 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