interceptor
noun
in·ter·cep·tor
| \ ˌin-tər-ˈsep-tər
\
\
variants:
or less commonly intercepter
Definition of interceptor
: 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
The Pentagon currently has 44 missile interceptors based mostly in Alaska. — Robert Burns, Fortune, "The Pentagon Canceled a Boeing Contract to Develop a Better Missile Defense ‘Kill Vehicle’," 21 Aug. 2019 Wright said they are intended to launch interceptor missiles in defense, but appear to be capable of launching offensive cruise missiles as well. — Washington Post, "Landmark US-Russia arms control treaty is dead," 2 Aug. 2019 The system uses radar and short-range interceptor missiles to detect, track, and shoot down artillery rounds in mid-flight. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This New Air Defense System Can Intercept Aircraft-Dropped Bombs," 4 Apr. 2019 Russia had complained for years that those systems, which use Mk-41 launchers, could be converted into INF-violating attack systems by swapping out SM-3 interceptors with Tomahawk missiles. — W.j. Hennigan, Time, "Pentagon Tests New Missile System, Weeks After a U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Treaty Collapsed," 21 Aug. 2019 The Exalted One was stampeded into the ground by defenders blocking for the interceptor after the second pick. — Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "Jimmy Garoppolo’s preseason stinker reminds of young Joe Montana’s ugly game," 20 Aug. 2019 When finished in 2023, the sites will provide Japan with a pair of powerful radars as well as with at least 48 SM-3 interceptor missiles. — Taylor Dinerman, National Review, "The Ongoing Japan–South Korea Spat Could Threaten U.S. and Regional Security," 7 Aug. 2019 Russians have never believed the alliance’s denials that its interceptor system would not eventually be used to shoot down Russian missiles. — Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, "NATO Considers Missile Defense Upgrade, Risking Further Tensions With Russia," 5 July 2019 Russia’s defense ministry on Tuesday said it had successfully test launched a new hypersonic interceptor missile system with a precision unmatched by any other country. — Fox News, "SEE IT: Russia claims to test fire new hypersonic interceptor missile," 5 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interceptor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for interceptor
interceptor
noun
English Language Learners Definition of interceptor
: a fast military plane or missile used to defend against enemy planes or enemy missiles
See the full definition for interceptor in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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