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

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

One supplier, Wild Hornets, produces more than 10,000 interceptor drones a month but says the vehicles are needed to meet high demand in Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Israel and Gulf states may be running low on interceptor missiles, according to Cembalest.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Israel and Gulf states may be running low on interceptor missiles, according to Cembalest.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

To boot, Onofre’s TV antenna was so tall, so elaborate, so pronged, and so replete with squiggling copper and aluminum tubing and boosters, that it looked like a DEW-line radar interceptor in Greenland.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols