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

For reference, traditional interceptor missiles, like the Patriot PAC-3, have price tags of between $3 million and $4 million per missile. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026

Each interceptor missile can cost millions of dollars. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

Until recently, a single factory made all of America’s Tomahawk cruise missiles, and there is a constant shortage of Patriot missile interceptors. —ABC News, 6 May 2026

European manufacturers produce varying missile interceptors - but not at scale and especially not those capable of countering ballistic and advanced cruise missiles. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 3 May 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