gatekeeper

American  

[geyt-kee-per] / ˈgeɪtˌki pər /

noun

1. a person in charge of a gate, usually to identify, count, supervise, etc., the traffic that flows through it.

2. a person or thing that controls access, as to information, often acting as an arbiter of quality or legitimacy: An open internet allows innovators to bypass traditional gatekeepers and promote their work on its own merit.

   Treating office gatekeepers with respect will improve your chances of scheduling a face-to-face meeting or job interview.

   An open internet allows innovators to bypass traditional gatekeepers and promote their work on its own merit.

3. a guardian; monitor.

   the gatekeepers of Western culture.

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gatekeeper British  

/ ˈɡeɪtˌkiːpə /

noun

1. a person who has charge of a gate and controls who may pass through it

2. any of several Eurasian butterflies of the genus Pyronia, esp P. tithonus, having brown-bordered orange wings with a black-and-white eyespot on each forewing: family Satyridae

3. a manager in a large organization who controls the flow of information, esp to parent and subsidiary companies

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Etymology

Origin of gatekeeper

First recorded in 1565–75; in 1905–10 gatekeeper for defs. 2, 3; gate ¹ + keeper

Example Sentences

“We don’t need gatekeepers,” Mahan said in a statement Tuesday evening.

From Los Angeles Times

Another said: "GPs should not be gatekeepers of fitness to work."

From BBC

The 56-year-old cleric largely kept a low profile during his father's rule, but there were longstanding rumours about his influence as a gatekeeper to the late supreme leader.

From BBC

The judge said he acted as a "gatekeeper" to Abu Qatada, vetting those who wanted to access chats where the man was present.

From BBC

People were getting information without waiting to have it curated by the usual gatekeepers of newspapers, TV stations and so on.

From Salon

Related Words

• protector