goalkeeper

American  

[gohl-kee-per] / ˈgoʊlˌki pər /

noun

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

• goalkeeping noun

Etymology

Origin of goalkeeper

First recorded in 1650–60; goal + keeper

Example Sentences

Pollock somehow managed to flick a QPR cross high into the air and, in one graceful movement, head the ball over goalkeeper Martyn Margetson and into the net to put City's opponents 2-1 up.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Like the former goalkeeper Leca, Parrot was promoted to the role in May of last year.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

But the Gunners boss would not be drawn on if he thought that Raya was the best goalkeeper in the world.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Raya has kept the most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues, with his 22 across all competitions four clear of Inter's Yann Sommer.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

No one in front of you but the goalkeeper and Coby.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander