goaltender

American  

[gohl-ten-der] / ˈgoʊlˌtɛn dər /

noun

1. a goalkeeper.

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Usage

What does goaltender mean? In sports like hockey, goaltender is another name for the goalkeeper, 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). Goaltender can be used to refer to the position or the player. A goaltender might say they play goaltender. A common informal word for goaltender is goalie. The word goaltender is commonly used in ice hockey and lacrosse. In soccer (football), this position is usually called goalkeeper, goalie, or keeper. The word goaltending can refer to acting as a goaltender, but it is also used in a more specific way in basketball (which does not have a goaltender or goalkeeper position). In basketball, goaltending refers to a rules violation in which a player interferes with a shot by touching the ball on its downward flight to the basket or while it is over, on, or within the rim of the basket. Example: When I played hockey, I was the goaltender, and I was pretty good, especially because I was quick.

Etymology

Origin of goaltender

First recorded in 1905–10; goal + tender ³

Example Sentences

Quick won a silver medal as a backup goaltender for the U.S. at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, although he did not see any playing time.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

McDavid couldn’t get off a clean shot and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck — whose game-long heroics will forever be remembered — slapped the puck away.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

Anaheim Ducks selected 18-year-old goaltender Damian Clara in 2023, the first player from the Italian system drafted by an NHL team.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

In 2023, the Anaheim Ducks selected 18-year-old goaltender Damian Clara with the 60th pick of the draft.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

He looked at Betty Bright and said, “Coach, this goaltender of yours is not eligible to play. He wasn’t eligible to play for me, and he’s not eligible to play for you.”

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor