# interception

/ˌɪnɝˈsɛpʃən/ (US) · /ˌɪntəsˈɛpʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/interception
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. stopping something in transit

noun · CEFR B2

the act of stopping or catching something while it is moving from one place to another.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. sports

noun · CEFR B2

in games like American football, when a player catches a pass meant for the other team.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. military aviation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

when a fighter jet flies near another plane to stop it or force it to change direction.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. water and plants

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

when rain is caught by leaves and branches before it can hit the ground.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The player made a brilliant interception to win the game.
- Security forces confirmed the interception of a suspicious package before it could enter the government building.
- The success of the mission depended entirely on the interception of the enemy's coded signals, allowing the fleet to adjust its course before the ambush was triggered.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.