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View synonyms for

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)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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Other Word Forms

  • interceptive adjective
  • nonintercepting adjective
  • noninterceptive adjective
  • unintercepted adjective
  • unintercepting adjective
  • ˌԳٱˈپ adjective
  • ˌԳٱˈپDz noun
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of intercept1

C16: from Latin intercipere to seize before arrival, from inter- + capere to take
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Those are mostly intercepted by Israel's sophisticated air defence system.

From

"They were questioned as witnesses and later their identities were fully confirmed via social networks, mobile phones, and partial radio intercepts that preceded the event. The entire unit in that sector was tracked."

From

In response, Iran launched about 100 drones towards Israel, most of which were intercepted, according to the Israeli military.

From

In late 2024, Iran launched an air attack on several sites in Israel, with many of the missiles being intercepted.

From

Six of eight activists who were kept in Israel after their boat was intercepted on its way to try to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza have been deported, the Israeli foreign ministry has confirmed.

From

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