Intercepted

Intercepted is the past participle of intercept, a verb with multiple related senses. The core meaning is to seize or interrupt something in transit or progress, often before it reaches its intended destination. As an adjective, intercepted describes something that has been caught or interrupted: for example, an intercepted message, an intercepted signal, or an intercepted pass.

In law, the term is used to describe the act of obtaining possession of communications or telecommunication data as they are transmitted, often for purposes of surveillance or evidence. Legal regimes typically regulate interception through warrants or consent, with rules varying by jurisdiction and by the type of communication.

In sports, an interception refers to a defensive act of catching a ball intended for the opposing team, such as a pass in American football or basketball. The adjective intercepted is used to describe a pass or play that has been caught by the defense or otherwise disrupted.

By itself, intercepted can appear in titles and headlines referring to works of fiction, journalism, or media that depict intercepting an object, message, or communication. The term is also used in technical contexts to describe signals or data that have been captured by a third party.

Related terms include intercept, interception, and intercepting.