goalkeeper

American  

[gohl-kee-per] / ˈgoʊlˌki pər /

noun

• goalkeepers
  plural

1. (in ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, etc.) a player whose chief duty is to prevent the ball or puck from crossing or entering the goal.

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goalkeeper British  

/ ˈɡəʊlˌkiːpə /

noun

1. sport a player in the goal whose duty is to prevent the ball, puck, etc, from entering or crossing it

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Usage

What does goalkeeper mean? In sports like soccer (football) and hockey, the goalkeeper is the player positioned in front of the goal whose job is to prevent the ball or puck from entering it (or crossing the goal line). Goalkeeper can be used to refer to the position or the player. A goalkeeper might say they play goalkeeper. A common informal word for goalkeeper is goalie. In some sports, a goalkeeper is called a goaltender. In soccer, the goalkeeper is sometimes called the keeper. Example: When I played soccer, I was the goalkeeper, and I was pretty good, especially because I was quick and had long arms for my age.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• goalkeeping
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• goalkeepers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of goalkeeper

First recorded in 1650–60; goal + keeper

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

goalkeeper goalkeepers

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was in close proximity, while goalkeeper Sanne Lammens was positioned for Fernandez to play the ball.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

More than a quarter of a century after he stopped playing for West Ham, the chant still regularly sung by fans shows the affection in which former Hammers goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko is held.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

"He has the ability and quality in the final third. That's why I sometimes say when they go to the goalkeeper for the ball I say no, I want you there in the final third."

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

"It is a fantastic win and the ground work was done by the defence. They have weathered the storm and the goalkeeper steps up and makes a wonderful save," Keown said.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Tom Yew's actually shaken hands with Peter Shilton, the England goalkeeper.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

They have little problem attracting and retaining elite centre-backs and goalkeepers but the scarcity is more obvious further forward, where the most coveted attackers and attacking midfielders still often choose elsewhere.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

The other goalkeepers in England's World Cup squad were Nottingham Forest's Dean Henderson - who was probably regarded as Pickford's understudy as he played in the third-place play-off - and James Trafford of Manchester City.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

There have been some concerns that a requirement to leave the field for one minute could lead to players, both goalkeepers and outfield, attempting to play on with an injury.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

"I'm joining an excellent group of goalkeepers and I'm really looking forward to all pushing each other to ensure that we maintain the highest standards, which this club demands."

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

“He used to be one of the best goalkeepers in Kosovo, and everybody wanted to be like him.”

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John