# intercept

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪntəˈsɛpt/ · frequency rank #13,542

## Definitions
1. To stop, deflect or divert (something in progress or motion).
2. To gain possession of (the ball) in a ball game.
3. To gain possession of (the ball) in a ball game.
4. To take or comprehend between.
5. To perform an aeronautical action in which a fighter approaches a suspicious aircraft to escort it away from a prohibited area, or approaches an enemy aircraft to shoot it down.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin interceptum, past participle of intercipiō.

## Easily confused with
- **interest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercept-vs-interest)
- **internet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercept-vs-internet)
- **interrupt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercept-vs-interrupt)
- **intersect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercept-vs-intersect)
- **interment** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercept-vs-interment)
- **interceptor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercept-vs-interceptor)
- **intercede** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercede-vs-intercept)

## Common misspellings (14)
`inetrcept`, `inntercept`, `intecrept`, `interccept`, `interceppt`, `interceptt`, `intercetp`, `intercpet`, `interecpt`, `interrcept`, `intrecept`, `inttercept`, `itnercept`, `nitercept`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/intercept