interceptor
Americannoun
-
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.
noun
-
a person or thing that intercepts
-
a fast highly manoeuvrable fighter aircraft used to intercept enemy aircraft
Etymology
Origin of interceptor
1590–1600; < Latin, equivalent to intercep- ( see intercept) + -tor -tor ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ukraine faces a shortage of interceptor missiles, particularly US-made Patriot systems used against ballistic threats.
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
By this summer, the air defenses around Kyiv and other cities were often shooting down around 90% of older, propeller-driven Geran models, often using cheap interceptor drones.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
And on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged Paris would deliver new interceptor missiles.
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
The Pentagon has also awarded Lockheed Martin a $35 billion seven-year contract to quadruple Thaad interceptor production.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Piper put her new sword to good use, while spraying food from the cornucopia in her other hand—using hams, chickens, apples, and oranges as interceptor missiles.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
