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.
Their defenders also made two goal-line clearances while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams came up with big saves. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Brazil should have taken a 1-0 lead in the first half, but couldn’t put a penalty kick past Norway’s goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. — Andy Clayton, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026 After a series of deflections inside the box, the ball found its way hovering toward Ronaldo from just about four yards from the box and the Spain goalkeeper out of position. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026 While a Portugal player argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and put a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres. — ABC News, 6 July 2026 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

Rhymes for goalkeeper

See All Rhymes for goalkeeper

Browse Nearby Words

goalie
goalkeeper
goal kick
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goalkeeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goalkeeper. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of goalkeeper for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about goalkeeper

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