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

What’s Next: Some defense companies are already trying to speed up External link manufacturing, including Lockheed Martin, which has a deal to triple production of Patriot missile interceptors to about 2,000 missiles a year.

From Barron's

Lockheed Martin said Tuesday it had struck a deal with the Pentagon to more than triple production of Patriot missile interceptors to about 2,000 interceptors a year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Swedish startup Nordic Air Defence, for instance, is testing interceptors as light as nine ounces that can smash into drones at altitudes up to around 6,000 feet.

From The Wall Street Journal

In many cases, kamikaze drones cost far less than the interceptors used to shoot them down.

From The Wall Street Journal

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