interceptor

American  

[in-ter-sep-ter] / ˌɪn tərˈsɛp tər /

Or intercepter

noun

1. a person or thing that intercepts.

2. Military.  a fighter aircraft with fast-reaction capabilities, used to identify and, if appropriate, engage other aircraft in combat.

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interceptor British  

/ ˌɪntəˈsɛptə /

noun

1. a person or thing that intercepts

2. a fast highly manoeuvrable fighter aircraft used to intercept enemy aircraft

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Etymology

Origin of interceptor

1590–1600; < Latin, equivalent to intercep- ( intercept ) + -tor -tor ( def. )

Example Sentences

At one point in the film, a junior official points out that U.S. interceptors have failed almost half their tests, and the secretary of defense responds by bellowing: “That’s what $50 billion buys us?”

From Salon

“We will co-produce interceptor drones and work on developing critical technologies and components that can be integrated into Ukrainian drones.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Russia has ramped up massive combined drone and missile strikes on cities deep inside Ukraine, and Kyiv has only a limited supply of interceptors.

From The Wall Street Journal

It wasn’t a nuclear missile that failed to work, it was an interceptor.

From Salon

The company said a new satellite contract and swelling demand for its Patriot missile interceptor components were improving the division’s prospects.

From The Wall Street Journal