Definition

1. Verb:

   • To stop, seize, or interrupt something or someone's progress before they reach a destination: To catch or take control of something while it is moving from one place to another.
   • Mathematics: To cross or meet (a line, curve, or surface). Often used to describe the point where a line crosses an axis on a graph.

2. Noun:

   • Mathematics: The point at which a line or curve crosses a coordinate axis (e.g., the x-intercept or y-intercept).
   • The act of intercepting: An instance of stopping or seizing something in transit.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • The missile was designed to intercept incoming enemy aircraft.
  • The police intercepted the drug shipment at the border.
  • On the graph, the line intercepts the y-axis at the point (0, 5).

• Noun:

  • To find the equation of the line, you need to calculate both the slope and the y-intercept.
  • The successful intercept of the secret message changed the course of the war.

Advanced Usage

• "to intercept a pass" (Sports): To catch a ball that is thrown by a member of the opposing team.

  • The defender intercepted the quarterback's pass and ran it back for a touchdown.

• "to intercept communications": To secretly listen to or record phone calls, messages, or other communications.

  • The agency has the authority to intercept electronic communications under certain conditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Interceptor (n): A person or thing that intercepts, especially a fast aircraft designed to intercept and attack enemy planes.

  • The air force scrambled its interceptor jets.

• Interception (n): The action of intercepting something or someone.

  • The interception of the smuggled goods was a major victory for customs.

Synonyms

• Seize: To take hold of suddenly and forcibly.
• Block: To obstruct or stop movement or progress.
• Cut off: To block the path of someone or something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Intercept" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically contained within the single verb.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that use the word "intercept" as their core component.)

Noun

1. the point at which a line intersects a coordinate axis

Verb

1. tap a telephone or telegraph wire to get information
   • The FBI was tapping the phone line of the suspected spy
   • Is this hotel room bugged?
2. seize on its way
   • The fighter plane was ordered to intercept an aircraft that had entered the country's airspace