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.

---

interceptor British  

/ ˌɪntəˈsɛptə /

noun

1. a person or thing that intercepts

2. 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

Previously, different radar and interceptor systems did not communicate, requiring up to 20 people to monitor drone and missile threats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

And there's one weapon, more than any other, that's helping take down Russian drones: cheap interceptor drones.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Each interceptor costs around $4 million to destroy weapons that cost between $20,000 and $50,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Ukraine's homegrown air defence network -- electronic jamming systems, anti-aircraft guns, helicopters and jets, and smaller interceptor drones -- took down all but 22 of the Russian drones.

From Barron's • May 15, 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