goalkeeper
Americannoun
-
goalkeepers
plural
noun
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.
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Origin of goalkeeper
Vocabulary lists containing goalkeeper
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A handful of journalists gathered at Arsenal's London Colney training base expecting the unveiling of goalkeeper Richard Wright from Ipswich.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Alonso opened with two Premier League wins, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's display in the opening victory at Fulham persuaded him to finally solve a long-standing problem by signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
"I can't imagine a national team without Messi," said goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
The goalkeeper had attracted interest from Juventus earlier in the window, with a finger injury understood to have scuppered a move.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
Tom Yew's actually shaken hands with Peter Shilton, the England goalkeeper.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
"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
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
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
“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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
