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# interception

noun (interception, interceptions); from the verb intercept

«interception» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The act of stopping or catching something on its way from one place to another. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#m1)
2. (sport) Catching or taking the ball when the other team passes it, especially in American football, netball, rugby and football. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#m2)
3. Secretly catching or reading a message, call or letter meant for someone else. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#m3)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#x1)
- Our netball team won because of Sophie's clever interception. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#x2)
- In American football, an interception means the defence catches a pass meant for the other team. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#x3)
- The spy's message never arrived because of an interception. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#x4)
- The interception of the letter gave the detectives their clue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#x5)
- His quick interception saved the vase from hitting the floor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#x6)
- The quarterback threw two interceptions in the first half. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/#x7)

### 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.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «interception» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/interception/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«interception» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/interception.html) on Mova free.