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

Ukrainian manufacturers have developed low-cost interceptor drones specifically designed to hunt and destroy Shaheds, and its rapidly expanding drone industry is producing excess capacity. —Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026

This is particularly sensitive during wartime, where the military censor has made clear that broadcasting any images that reveal the location of interceptor missiles or military sites hit by enemy projectiles is forbidden, especially in live broadcasts. —Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026

This is quite different to the situation in the air, for example, where missile interceptors can often detonate an incoming missile in flight. —James Dwyer, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

Kyiv has instead invested in a layered system of missile interceptors, drone interceptors, heavy machine guns, and planes that take down Russian drones. —Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

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