interceptor

or in·ter·cept·er

[ in-ter-sep-ter ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈsɛp tər /

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noun

a person or thing that intercepts.

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

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Origin of interceptor

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

Words nearby interceptor

intercede, intercellular, intercensal, intercept, interception, interceptor, intercession, intercessor, intercessory, interchange, interchangeable

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use interceptor in a sentence

The interceptor tube’s diameter varies as it goes through the city, which complicates the task of figuring out its capacity for carrying waste to the treatment plant at any given moment.
One city’s fight to solve its sewage problem with sensors|Andrew Zaleski|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review
This creates more room in the interceptor pipe for the sewers that need it.
One city’s fight to solve its sewage problem with sensors|Andrew Zaleski|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Starting in 2010, EmNet began outfitting these new pipes with microprocessor-equipped valves that automatically open and close in response to real-time calculations gauging the capacity of the interceptor line they feed into.
One city’s fight to solve its sewage problem with sensors|Andrew Zaleski|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Montestruque’s solution was an agent-based model in which valves at overflow diversion points “buy” capacity from the interceptor tube.
One city’s fight to solve its sewage problem with sensors|Andrew Zaleski|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review

On good days, just before each line ends, a vertical throttle pipe diverts the sewage into an interceptor tube, which carries it to a treatment plant where solid pollutants and bacteria are filtered out.
One city’s fight to solve its sewage problem with sensors|Andrew Zaleski|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The interceptor is still under development and has yet to undergo a flight intercept test.
Why Iron Dome Can't Be Scaled-Up|Kingston Reif|November 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Arrow-2 interceptor is already deployed and is designed to intercept targets during the latter stages of their flight.
Why Iron Dome Can't Be Scaled-Up|Kingston Reif|November 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I wish I could detect the impudent interceptor—You have then at last condescended to visit Cohansie!
Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.|Philip Vickers Fithian
Thus he had to launch the interceptor when the missile was twenty-seven degrees from intercept.
Pushbutton War|Joseph P. Martino
The interceptor was lower to the northwest, cutting into their path.
First on the Moon|Jeff Sutton
Your ship carries half a dozen long-range interceptor rockets to handle any attack from Earth.
Space Tug|Murray Leinster
The interceptor missiles had to detect it, swing to intercept, to accelerate furiously.
Talents, Incorporated|William Fitzgerald Jenkins

British Dictionary definitions for interceptor

interceptor

intercepter

/ (ˌɪntəˈsɛptə) /

noun

a person or thing that intercepts

a fast highly manoeuvrable fighter aircraft used to intercept enemy aircraft

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012