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

Before an interceptor is shipped to a customer, Vluchnyk says each individual aircraft undergoes a test flight. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Other stories cited were reports on munition supplies in the war in Iran, and that the military had exhausted nearly 80% of its interceptors. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2026

The advanced weapons that have been in the most demand are defensive missile interceptors, such as those launched by the Army’s Patriot and THAAD systems. — Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Regional officials have told the Associated Press that Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and instead has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt for air defense support. — Toqa Ezzidin, Los Angeles Times, 19 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