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

That's not with decoys, that's not with other means that would try to misdirect our interceptors from knocking down incoming missiles with nuclear warheads on them. —ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025

Mach 6 railgun dream Railguns use electromagnetic force to accelerate projectiles at hypersonic speeds, eliminating the need for explosive propellants and potentially reducing per-shot costs compared to traditional missile interceptors. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025

And just one interceptor has a slightly better than 50/50 chance of hitting, making the scenario plausible. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025

The notion that the catastrophe stems from inadequate defense spending collapses the moment the interceptors fail. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 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