Definitions

1. noun

an object designed to collide with or strike something, especially in space exploration, such as an asteroid or a comet

“The spacecraft was equipped with an impactor to gather data from the asteroid’s surface.”

2. noun

an animal, especially a bird or a fish, that collides with something, such as a window or a car

“The impactor bird crashed into the windshield of the speeding car.”

3. noun

a person who causes or produces a violent or forceful collision

“The impactor was held responsible for the accident that resulted in several injuries.”