interceptor
/ˌɪntəˈseptə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪntərˈseptər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-tər-ˈsep-tər/ (ame, mw)
interceptor — noun
- interceptorsingular
- interceptorsplural
1. a small, very quick warplane built to fly up and stop hostile planes before they
a small, very quick warplane built to fly up and stop hostile planes before they can reach their target
Two interceptors took off from the base to chase the unknown jet near the coast.
subject: military aircraft scrambled to chase an intruder
The air force kept several interceptors ready day and night during the war.
collocation: keep interceptors ready / on standby
Rafael watched an interceptor climb steeply into the clouds above the airfield.
Older interceptors could fly faster than almost any bomber of their time.
Within minutes the interceptor caught up with the slow cargo plane over the sea.
- fighter
broader term; every interceptor is a fighter, but a fighter can also attack ground targets
- fighter jet
everyday wording for a fast military plane; less precise about the defensive role
- bomber
a plane built to drop bombs, the opposite mission to an interceptor
用法筆記
Subject of the sentence is usually an air force, base, or pilot; the plane's job is defensive, so it appears with verbs like 'scramble', 'launch', and 'chase'.