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¹intercept

verb in·ter·cept \ˌin-tər-ˈsept\

: to stop and take someone or something that is going from one place to another place before that person or thing gets there

sports : to catch or receive (a pass made by an opponent)

Full Definition of INTERCEPT

transitive verb

obsolete : prevent, hinder

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

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

obsolete : to interrupt communication or connection with

: to include (part of a curve, surface, or solid) between two points, curves, or surfaces <the part of a circumference intercepted between two radii>

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

b : to intercept a pass thrown by (an opponent)

See intercept defined for English-language learners

See intercept defined for kids

Origin of INTERCEPT

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INTERCEPT

Synonyms: block, interdict, pick off

Rhymes with INTERCEPT

high-concept, nympholept, self-concept

²intercept

noun in·ter·cept \ˈin-tər-ˌsept\

Definition of INTERCEPT

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

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

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

First Known Use of INTERCEPT

1821

Other Telecommunications Terms

Ethernet

INTERCEPT Defined for Kids

intercept

verb in·ter·cept \ˌin-tər-ˈsept\

in·ter·cept·edin·ter·cept·ing

Definition of INTERCEPT for Kids

: to take, seize, or stop before reaching an intended destination <intercept a message>

: to catch (a football) passed by a member of the opposing team

Word Root of INTERCEPT

The Latin word capere, meaning “to seize” or “to take,” and its form captus give us the roots cap, capt, and cept. Words from the Latin capere have something to do with taking. To capture is to take something or someone by using force. To accept is to take something willingly. Anyone capable of doing something is able to take on that task.