interceptor

noun

in·​ter·​cep·​tor ˌin-tər-ˈsep-tər How to pronounce interceptor (audio)
variants or less commonly intercepter
: one that intercepts
specifically : a light high-speed fast-climbing fighter plane or missile designed for defense against raiding bombers or missiles

Examples of interceptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nevertheless, Moscow bleated in protest to such an extent that the Obama administration withdrew in 2009 a Bush-era pledge to provide Poland and the Czech Republic with radar and interceptor installations aimed at protecting their territories not from nuclear but from conventional attack. Noah Rothman, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 Avoid a forceful airflow from the cleaners, which could merely scatter the bugs. ▪ Bed bug interceptor traps placed under furniture legs. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2024 Air defense interceptors will be a persistent requirement, too: Russia is now producing over 100 cruise and ballistic missiles and 300 attack drones per month. Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 3 Jan. 2024 Each Iron Dome battery consists of three to four launchers that can each carry up to 20 Tamir interceptor missiles. Luis Martinez, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2023 As the Ukrainian Air Force warned that missiles were streaming toward Kyiv along the Dnipro River around 7 a.m., interceptor missiles streaked through the skies to meet the threat. Marc Santora, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Ukraine has been pleading with allies to provide it with more air defense systems, as well as help re-stock its supply of interceptors, as Russia has begun the new year with a barrage of air attacks. Jack Guy, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024 But the Patriot interceptors — part of a defensive system — were an easier sell. Alex Horton, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2023 Those air defenses rely on interceptors, a component the United States can provide. Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 28 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interceptor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interceptor was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near interceptor

Cite this Entry

“Interceptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interceptor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

interceptor

noun
in·​ter·​cep·​tor ˌint-ər-ˈsep-tər How to pronounce interceptor (audio)
: one that intercepts
especially : a fast fighter plane designed for defense against bombers

More from Merriam-Webster on interceptor

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