interceptor

noun

in·ter·cep·tor | \ ˌin-tər-ˈsep-tər

variants: or less commonly intercepter

Definition of interceptor

: 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

Against that backdrop, Congress this year approved the Pentagon's plan to build and deploy an extra 20 missile interceptors in Alaska by 2023. — Robert Burns, Anchorage Daily News, "If North Korea disarms, will U.S. missile defense lose favor?," 26 June 2018 Against that backdrop, Congress this year approved the Pentagon’s plan to build and deploy an extra 20 missile interceptors in Alaska by 2023. — Robert Burns, The Seattle Times, "If North Korea disarms, will US missile defense lose favor?," 26 June 2018 The Pentagon modified the Standard air defense missile to create the new SM-3 ballistic missile interceptor. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Navy Wants to Ditch Missile Defense," 18 June 2018 How to prevent bedbugs Use protective covers to encase mattresses, consider buying interceptors, little white dishes placed beneath beds and other furniture to capture any active bugs. — Julia Terruso, Philly.com, "What to know about bedbug prevention, treatment," 5 July 2018 Now there are plans to add 20 missiles to the 40 already at Fort Greely, with additional interceptors at Vandenberg Air Force Base. — Justin Mitchell, Anchorage Daily News, "In Interior Alaska, soldiers relish their role in U.S. missile defense," 30 Apr. 2018 If it's confirmed, the flop would be the second straight failure of an SM-3 Block IIA test, after an interceptor in June failed to hit its target. — Hans Nichols, NBC News, "U.S. missile defense test fails off Hawaii, officials say," 31 Jan. 2018 The Alaska system, which consists of 44 missile interceptors that would be launched from underground silos to shoot down enemy missiles streaking toward the United States, is not the only element of U.S. missile defense. — Robert Burns, Anchorage Daily News, "If North Korea disarms, will U.S. missile defense lose favor?," 26 June 2018 The Pentagon budget calls for increasing the number of interceptors from 44 to 64, and that additional 20 will be located at Fort Greely. — Lolita C. Baldor, Fox News, "Mattis focusing on strategic security issues in China talks," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interceptor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.