intercept

1 of 2

verb

in·​ter·​cept ˌin-tər-ˈsept 

intercepted; intercepting; intercepts

transitive verb

1

a

: to stop, seize, or interrupt in progress or course or before arrival

b

: to receive (a communication or signal directed elsewhere) usually secretly

2

a

: to gain possession of (an opponent's pass)

b

: to intercept a pass thrown by (an opponent)

3

: to include (part of a curve, surface, or solid) between two points, curves, or surfaces

the part of a circumference intercepted between two radii

4

obsolete : prevent, hinder

5

obsolete : to interrupt communication or connection with

intercept

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​cept ˈin-tər-ˌsept 

1

: the distance from the origin to a point where a graph crosses a coordinate axis

2

: interception

especially : the interception of a missile by an interceptor or of a target by a missile

3

: a message, code, or signal that is intercepted (as by monitoring radio communications)

Did you know?

Since the prefix inter means "between", it's not hard to see how intercept was created. Arms shipments coming to a country are sometimes intercepted, but such interceptions can sometimes be understood as acts of war. In football, soccer, and basketball, players try to intercept the ball as it's being passed by the other team. In years gone by, letters and documents being carried between officers or officials were sometimes intercepted when the carrier was caught; today, when these communications are generally electronic, an intercepted email isn't actually stopped, but simply read secretly by a third party.

Synonyms

Verb

• grab
• capture
• block
• catch
• interdict

Examples of intercept in a Sentence

Verb

Detectives have been intercepting her mail.

The police intercepted him as he was walking out.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This year alone, U.S. and Canadian fighters operating from the same base at which Trump and Putin will meet Friday have thrice scrambled to intercept Russian fighters and bombers entering Alaska's Air Defense Identification Zone. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

Scammers can intercept security codes and log in to your account by hijacking your phone number or infecting your device. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Noun

Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans intercepts a pass intended for Noah Fant #87 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on October 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025

Why this is happening is clear from a radio intercept about a similar incident, shared with CNN, in which a Russian commander can clearly be heard ordering a subordinate be tied up in this way as punishment for desertion. —Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 28 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin interceptus, past participle of intercipere, from inter- + capere to take, seize — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing intercept

• slope-intercept form
• x-intercept
• y-intercept

Rhymes for intercept

• overslept
• overstepped
• accept
• adept
• except
• inept
• precept
• sidestepped
• transept
• windswept
• crept
• kept

Kids Definition

intercept

1 of 2 verb

in·​ter·​cept ˌint-ər-ˈsept 

1

: to take or seize on the way to or before arrival

intercept a letter

intercept a pass

2

: to include (part of a line, surface, or solid) between two points, curves, or surfaces

a line intercepted between points A and B

interception

-ˈsep-shən

noun

intercept

2 of 2 noun

in·​ter·​cept ˈint-ər-ˌsept 

: the distance from the origin of a coordinate system to a point where a graph (as of a line) crosses a coordinate axis

Etymology

Verb

from Latin interceptus, past participle of intercipere "to take or hinder in the course of," from inter- "between, in the course of" and cipere, a form of capere "to take, seize" — related to capture, except

Legal Definition

intercept

transitive verb

in·​ter·​cept

: to receive (a communication or signal directed elsewhere) usually secretly

shall not be unlawful…for a person not acting under color of law to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication where such person is a party to the communication

—U.S. Code

interception noun