intercept

[ verb in-ter-sept; noun 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

/ ĭn′tər-sĕpt′ /

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.

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈceptive, adjective
• ˌinterˈception, noun

Other Words From

• inter·ceptive adjective
• nonin·ter·cepting adjective
• nonin·ter·ceptive adjective
• unin·ter·cepted adjective
• unin·ter·cepting adjective

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

The “gold standard” for the UK would be to strike a generous beach-returns deal with France, says Mr Walsh, in which France agrees to take back migrants who arrive via the Channel and intercept boats.

From BBC

But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that working with other countries to intercept people before they reached the coast of France and undermining the business models of smuggling gangs was crucial.

From BBC

But two US officials said initial indications suggested Russia had intercepted just two missiles out of around eight fired by Ukraine.

From BBC

Kinchens, a safety from Miami who was drafted in the third round, intercepted a pass with just less than two minutes left to seal the victory.

From Los Angeles Times

Right from intercepting Patrick Mahomes' first pass of the game, Buffalo looked the better side as they moved just a game behind their big rivals in the race for the AFC play-offs top seed.

From BBC

Related Words

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