interceptor
Americannoun
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a person or thing that intercepts.
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Military. a fighter aircraft with fast-reaction capabilities, used to identify and, if appropriate, engage other aircraft in combat.
noun
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a person or thing that intercepts
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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 has also complained of hold-ups in the supply of vital interceptor missiles.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
Sokol said his interceptor drones can fly at around 250 mph.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
Ukraine currently uses Elon Musk's Starshield, Starlink's military-grade satellite service, for its battlefield communications, mid-range strikes on Russian-occupied territory and interceptor drones.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Branding it "Britannia Shield", the party said it would spend up to £10bn over a decade on an integrated network of radar, command and control systems, as well as interceptor missiles.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 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
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