Word
interception
Phoneticsin·ter·cep·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnɝˈsɛpʃən/
UK/ˌɪntəsˈɛpʃən/
Definitions
01stopping something in transit
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of stopping or catching something while it is moving from one place to another.
n. the act of obstructing, seizing, or diverting something before it reaches its intended destination.
“The police reported the interception of a large shipment of illegal goods at the border.”
“Intelligence agencies confirmed the successful interception of encrypted communications between the two suspect organisations.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the object being stopped.
Synonyms
02sports
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports
n. in games like American football, when a player catches a pass meant for the other team.
n. a play in which a forward pass is caught by a defender, resulting in a change of possession.
“The crowd cheered when the defender made a brilliant interception near the goal line.”
“The quarterback's third interception of the game proved costly, allowing the opposing team to take a decisive lead in the final quarter.”
Antonyms
03military aviation
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. when a fighter jet flies near another plane to stop it or force it to change direction.
n. a tactical manoeuvre in which an aircraft is dispatched to identify, escort, or engage an unidentified or hostile aircraft.
“The air force ordered an immediate interception of the plane that entered their airspace.”
“The rapid interception of the unidentified drone prevented it from reaching the restricted military zone.”
04water and plants
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical · Academic
n. when rain is caught by leaves and branches before it can hit the ground.
n. the process by which precipitation is caught by vegetation and evaporated before reaching the soil surface.
“In thick forests, the interception of rain by the trees means the ground stays dry during light showers.”
“Hydrologists measured the rate of canopy interception to determine how much rainfall actually contributed to the local groundwater supply.”
Real-World Examples
“Police action has included interceptions on beaches and at sea, the UK Home Office said.” “Of the 12 dinghies stopped so far at sea, three interceptions took place in the last two weeks.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin interceptiō; compare French interception.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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