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

England's solitary try came from a smart Marcus Smith intercept of a ponderous pass, but they rarely looked as if they could pick a way though the defence via their own wit.

From BBC

The deals will increase intelligence sharing and cooperation with Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo to intercept and arrest the gangs, with the aim of breaking their business models at source.

From BBC

Police will use stop and search powers in certain areas of Edinburgh in a bid to intercept planned disorder on Bonfire Night.

From BBC

“So, when they moved to intercept the car Chris Kaba was driving, the OFC didn’t know they’d effectively initiated the armed stop,” the officer says.

From BBC

The driver of Sgt Blake’s vehicle pulled forward into the road to intercept the car Mr Kaba was driving, but neither this police vehicle nor the police vehicle immediately behind the Audi boxed it in tightly, so it had room for manoeuvre.

From BBC

Related Words

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