goalkeeper

noun

goal·​keep·​er ˈgōl-ˌkē-pər How to pronounce goalkeeper (audio)
: a player who defends the goal in any of various games (such as hockey, lacrosse, or soccer)

Examples of goalkeeper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ederson broke former Leeds and Tottenham counterpart Paul Robinson’s Premier League record for assists by a goalkeeper during the 4-0 defeat of Newcastle in February, registering his sixth across almost eight seasons in Manchester. Sam Lee, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025 Liam Kelly was huge for Rangers as their goalkeeper in the opener, saving a penalty kick by Alex Berenguer late in the match. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 Vikki Alonzo, Soccer (2008-2011): Holds nearly every school record for goalkeepers including wins (36), shutouts (25), saves (358) and minutes in goal (7,256). Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025 Also in the stands was Hassan George, who played goalkeeper for Somalia’s national soccer team in the 1980s. Mohamed Sheikh Nor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goalkeeper

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goalkeeper was in 1789

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goalkeeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goalkeeper. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

goalkeeper

noun
goal·​keep·​er ˈgōl-ˌkē-pər How to pronounce goalkeeper (audio)
: a player who defends the goal in various games

More from Merriam-Webster on goalkeeper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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