Interceptor Meaning
/ˌɪntəˈrsɛptər/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAnyone or anything that intercepts something else.
nounA combat aircraft designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft before they can attack.
Sentence Examples
The interceptor missile was launched quickly.
A police interceptor car sped down the highway.
The military launched an interceptor missile to destroy the target.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The military jet acted as an ____ to destroy enemy missiles in mid-air.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new jet ____ is designed to reach very high altitudes and engage enemy planes quickly.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English intercept Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin -ātor Old French -eorbor. Middle English -our ▲ Latin -torlbor. English -or English interceptor From intercept + -or.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“The AN-TPY/2 radar is essentially the heart of the THAAD battery, enabling the launch of interceptor missiles and contributing to a networked air defense picture,” he said. “It also happens to be an incredibly expensive piece of kit. The loss of even a single radar of this type would be an operationally significant event. It is probable that a replacement unit would have to be redeployed from elsewhere, which will take time and effort.”"
— 2026 March 5, Thomas Bordeaux, Gianluca Mezzofiore, “Radar bases housing key US missile interceptor hit in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, satellite images show”, in CNN, archived from the original on 08 Mar 2026:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The military jet acted as an ____ to destroy enemy missiles in mid-air.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new jet ____ is designed to reach very high altitudes and engage enemy planes quickly.