Intercepting

Intercepting refers to the act of catching, stopping, or capturing something before it reaches its intended destination. The concept spans many domains, from physical objects to signals and ideas, and generally involves a deliberate action to prevent or gain control over the target.

In communications and information technology, interception denotes accessing a signal or data stream, sometimes covertly. Lawful intercepts are authorized by regulators to support investigations, while unauthorized interception is illegal in most jurisdictions. Advances in encryption and secure communications aim to reduce the risk of unwanted interception, and privacy laws govern how intercept data may be collected and used.

In defense and aviation, an interceptor is a vehicle or system designed to meet and neutralize a pursuing target. Interception uses sensors, tracking, and guidance to bring a target to an equivalent position, with examples including fighter aircraft intercepting civilian or military aircraft and missiles being intercepted by defense systems.

In team sports, an interception refers to gaining possession by taking the ball away from an opponent’s pass, creating a turnover and potentially altering the course of a game.

The term derives from Latin intercipere, combining inter- “between” and capere “to take,” and is related to the broader concept of interception in various technical and everyday contexts.