intercept
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to stop or catch someone or something that is going from one place to another.
v.to prevent someone or something from continuing to a destination by stopping or catching them in transit.
Simple“The police managed to intercept the car before it reached the border.”
In context“Intelligence agencies worked around the clock to intercept the encrypted message before it could be delivered to the sleeper cell.”
UsageTransitive verb taking a direct object.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to catch a ball that was intended for a player on the other team.
v.to gain possession of a ball or puck by catching it during a pass intended for an opponent.
Simple“The defender ran forward to intercept the pass and started a fast break.”
In context“The cornerback read the quarterback's eyes perfectly, allowing him to intercept the ball at the goal line and return it for a touchdown.”
UsageCommonly used in American football, rugby, and basketball.
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.the act of listening to or recording a private phone call or radio message.
n.the act or instance of capturing a transmitted signal, such as a telephone call or radio broadcast, for surveillance purposes.
Simple“The evidence against the gang came from a phone intercept.”
In context“The legal team argued that the radio intercept was obtained without a proper warrant and should be excluded from the trial.”
UsageOften used in the context of law enforcement or espionage.
Synonymswiretapeavesdropping - 04 C1 Advanced
n.the point where a line crosses the x-axis or y-axis on a graph.
n.the coordinate of a point at which a line or curve intersects a coordinate axis.
Simple“To find the y-intercept, you must set the value of x to zero.”
In context“The linear equation was easily graphed once the students identified the vertical intercept and the slope of the line.”
UsageUsually specified as the 'x-intercept' or 'y-intercept'.
Synonyms
“Skibitskyi also said Russia was prioritising production of its jet-powered Geran 4 and Geran 5 drones, which are harder to intercept than slower-flying, piston-engine drones.”
“He has pledged to crack down on migration, including using the British navy to intercept and return asylum seekers arriving by boat.”
Borrowed from Latin interceptum, past participle of intercipiō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.