interception

Everyday

1. The act of stopping or catching something on its way from one place to another. tree →
2. (sport) Catching or taking the ball when the other team passes it, especially in American football, netball, rugby and football. tree →
3. Secretly catching or reading a message, call or letter meant for someone else. tree →

In the lessons

In sport it is a big moment: the defender makes an interception and the game turns. In spy and detective stories it means catching a secret message. In maths, do not mix it up with «intercept», the point where a line crosses an axis. In science and safety: an interception of a dangerous object, like catching a falling cup. Phrases: «make an interception», «interception of messages».

Examples

• The goalkeeper's interception stopped the attack. tree →
• Our netball team won because of Sophie's clever interception. tree →
• In American football, an interception means the defence catches a pass meant for the other team. tree →
• The spy's message never arrived because of an interception. tree →
• The interception of the letter gave the detectives their clue. tree →
• His quick interception saved the vase from hitting the floor. tree →
• The quarterback threw two interceptions in the first half. tree →

Note

Countable: an interception, interceptions. Spelling: -ception (like «reception»). In maths the point where a graph meets an axis is called the «intercept» (y-intercept), not the «interception». Reading someone else's private messages without permission is wrong and can be against the law.