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

It is unclear how serious Hincapie's injury is, although he was seen clutching his right ankle as he was carried off by goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Having not signed a player aged over 30 since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2022, Chelsea recruited three this summer, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez joining from Aston Villa and striker Danny Welbeck also arriving.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

However, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu said it would be "wrong" for him to participate in the games as he made himself unavailable, the FAI decided to fulfil both fixtures.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

"They were good strikes, but as a goalkeeper, I'm always disappointed when I concede a goal," Gunn acknowledged after facing the Swiss.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

I barely had to nudge it with my head to put it past the goalkeeper.

From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola

"They have strengthened in every position of the pitch but you cannot take a chance on goalkeepers," said Neville.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

The World Cup saw fewer instances of grappling on corners, with goalkeepers given greater protection.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Gianni: At 1% owned Rushworth is worth a look if you're going with two cheap rotating goalkeepers.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

And as a deterrent to goalkeepers who take a long time over goal-kicks towards the end of games, he can now give the opposition a corner instead if the keeper takes too long.

From BBC ● Aug. 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