gatekeep

American  

[geyt-keep] / ˈgeɪtˌkip /

verb (used with or without object)

gatekept, gatekeeping

1. to control access to something, or determine the legitimacy of people’s claims to a particular status, by unilaterally imposing criteria for acceptance.

   We gatekeep the counseling profession at the university level—anyone not making the grade is dropped from the program.

   I can't believe you’re trying to gatekeep depression based on your own symptoms.

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Etymology

Origin of gatekeep

First recorded in 1960–65; gate ¹ ( def. ) + keep ( def. )

Example Sentences

“If you gatekeep people from accessing, then you’re creating an uneven playing field.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

"AI is here to stay, to gatekeep its capability would be against the beliefs I hold dear about art," he said.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

“We’re not gonna gatekeep people. We want more women to have more opportunities,” Tosi said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

At its worst, reality TV teaches us how we gatekeep who gets to be seen as legitimate — and who gets to be seen at all.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2023

The academics have argued that such a stance allows the game industry to gatekeep which titles are made available or preserved, effectively limiting the study of gaming’s history.

From Washington Post • Jan. 12, 2022