interception

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin interceptiō; compare French interception.

noun

1. An act of intercepting something, the state of being intercepted, or a thing that is intercepted.
2. 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.
3. (American football) A passing play where the ball is caught by the opposing team.
4. (rugby) A pass that is intercepted by an opposing player.
5. precipitation that does not reach the soil, but is instead intercepted by the leaves, branches of plants and the forest floor.