interceptor
noun
in·ter·cep·tor ˌin-tər-ˈsep-tər 
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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The seeker uses sensors to lock onto incoming ballistic missiles moving up to 17,000 miles per hour, which allows the missile guidance system to route the THAAD interceptor to the threat. 
William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 16 Aug. 2022 The 78-inch-wide interceptor pipe will serve a 3-square-mile project area consisting of, eventually, 12 more drainage projects. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 22 July 2022 The latter have to first identify a missile, then calculate a trajectory to intercept it, and finally launch and guide an interceptor (such as another missile) to destroy the incoming weapon. Jason Sherman, Scientific American, 2 June 2022 The title comes from the fact that the action takes place on a nuclear missile interceptor base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Andy Meek, BGR, 29 May 2022 The MiG-31 Foxhound, a Cold War-era long-range supersonic interceptor originally designed to defend Soviet airspace from incoming American bombers, acts as carrier vehicle for the Kinzhal. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 5 Apr. 2022 The interceptor carries that wastewater to other interceptors or to sewer treatment facilities. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 17 Mar. 2022 Interceptor follows Captain JJ Collins, played by Pataky, as she's assigned to a missile interceptor base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Julia Moore, PEOPLE.com, 5 May 2022 The United States launched an interceptor missile from a warship in 2008 to destroy a malfunctioning spy satellite. Paul Best, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2022 See More
William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 16 Aug. 2022 The 78-inch-wide interceptor pipe will serve a 3-square-mile project area consisting of, eventually, 12 more drainage projects. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 22 July 2022 The latter have to first identify a missile, then calculate a trajectory to intercept it, and finally launch and guide an interceptor (such as another missile) to destroy the incoming weapon. Jason Sherman, Scientific American, 2 June 2022 The title comes from the fact that the action takes place on a nuclear missile interceptor base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Andy Meek, BGR, 29 May 2022 The MiG-31 Foxhound, a Cold War-era long-range supersonic interceptor originally designed to defend Soviet airspace from incoming American bombers, acts as carrier vehicle for the Kinzhal. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 5 Apr. 2022 The interceptor carries that wastewater to other interceptors or to sewer treatment facilities. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 17 Mar. 2022 Interceptor follows Captain JJ Collins, played by Pataky, as she's assigned to a missile interceptor base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Julia Moore, PEOPLE.com, 5 May 2022 The United States launched an interceptor missile from a warship in 2008 to destroy a malfunctioning spy satellite. Paul Best, Fox News, 19 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined above