interception
Americannoun
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an act or instance of intercepting.
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the state or fact of being intercepted.
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Military.
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the engaging of an enemy force in an attempt to hinder or prevent it from carrying out its mission.
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the monitoring of enemy radio transmission to obtain information.
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Etymology
Origin of interception
First recorded in 1590–1600, interception is from the Latin word interceptiōn- (stem of interceptiō ). See intercept, -ion
Explanation
Interception is blocking or stopping something from reaching its intended destination. Your clever interception of a note passed in math class kept your crush from learning your true feelings. While you might hear about an intelligence agency's interception of secret spy messages or your sister's interception of the family's goofy dog before he knocks your grandma down, this word is most commonly used in sports. American football is all about interceptions, moments when one player grabs hold of a ball that was thrown to the opposing team: "They played a really strong defense, with three interceptions."
Vocabulary lists containing interception
cept, capt, ceive (take, hold, seize)
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cept, capt, ceive (take, hold, seize)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jorgensen himself endured a miserable time last time out, butchering a chance and throwing an interception in New Zealand's 43-21 success in Sydney in October.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
Watson, who signed a three-year contract that included $34 million in guarantees, has one interception and nine passes defended.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
The first interception led to a Rams field goal, the second set up a Rams touchdown.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
James Hill: Ambitious long ball to no-one, then crucial interception of Youri Tielemans' low cross before it reached Mbeumo.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
But Winchell was only 2 of 16 passing for 42 yards and 1 interception.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
