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- ( see intercept) + -tor -tor ( def. )

Example Sentences

Facing that volume, Ukraine built a counterdrone industry from scratch: cheap, mass-produced interceptor drones costing $1,000 to $2,500 per unit, capable of destroying targets autonomously.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

A Patriot PAC-3 interceptor costs approximately $4 million per shot.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

The U.A.E. is in talks with Kyiv about a defense cooperation pact, and it has asked South Korean companies to supply more interceptor missiles, according to people familiar with the request said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Qatari officials recently visited a Ukrainian training ground for interceptor drones and met with representatives from one of the country’s largest defense companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 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