intercept

[in-ter-sept, in-ter-sept]

verb (used with object)

1. to take, seize, or halt (someone or something on the way from one place to another); cut off from an intended destination.

   to intercept a messenger.

2. to see or overhear (a message, transmission, etc., meant for another).

   We intercepted the enemy's battle plan.

3. to stop or check (passage, travel, etc.).

   to intercept the traitor's escape.

4. Sports.,  to take possession of (a ball or puck) during an attempted pass by an opposing team.

5. to stop or interrupt the course, progress, or transmission of.

6. to destroy or disperse (enemy aircraft or a missile or missiles) in the air on the way to a target.

7. to stop the natural course of (light, water, etc.).

8. Mathematics.,  to mark off or include, as between two points or lines.

9. to intersect.

10. Obsolete.,  to prevent or cut off the operation or effect of.

11. Obsolete.,  to cut off from access, sight, etc.

noun

1. an interception.

2. Mathematics.

   1. an intercepted segment of a line.

   2. (in a coordinate system) the distance from the origin to the point at which a curve or line intersects an axis.

intercept

verb

1. to stop, deflect, or seize on the way from one place to another; prevent from arriving or proceeding

2. sport to seize or cut off (a pass) on its way from one opponent to another

3. maths to cut off, mark off, or bound (some part of a line, curve, plane, or surface)

noun

1. maths

   1. a point at which two figures intersect

   2. the distance from the origin to the point at which a line, curve, or surface cuts a coordinate axis

   3. an intercepted segment

2. sport the act of intercepting an opponent's pass

intercept

1. In a Cartesian coordinate system, the coordinate of a point at which a line, curve, or surface intersects a coordinate axis. If a curve intersects the x-axis at (4,0), then 4 is the curve's x-intercept; if the curve intersects the y-axis at (0,2), then 2 is its y-intercept.

Other Word Forms

• interceptive adjective
• nonintercepting adjective
• noninterceptive adjective
• unintercepted adjective
• unintercepting adjective
• interception noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercept¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin interceptus, past participle of intercipere “to intercept,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + -cep- (combining form of cap-, stem of capere “to take”) + -tus past participle suffix; inter-; incipient

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercept¹

C16: from Latin intercipere to seize before arrival, from _inter- + capere to take

Example Sentences

Experts have questioned the legality of using lethal force in foreign or international waters against suspects who have not been intercepted or questioned.

Read more on Barron's

The aircraft disappeared before authorities could intercept them, leaving Danish authorities without evidence of who sent them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lake intercepted a pass — the first interception of the fourth-year pro’s career — and also recovered a fumble.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Israel has this month intercepted in international waters two flotillas aiming to break its blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations has declared a famine after two years of brutal conflict.

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Canadian and U.S. aircraft last year intercepted Chinese and Russian bombers in international airspace near Alaska, the first joint patrol between the two in the approaches to North America.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ambush 
• arrest 
• block 
• catch 
• cut off 
• deflect 
• hijack 
• prevent 
• seize 
• stop 
• take away