keeper

noun

keep·​er ˈkē-pər How to pronounce keeper (audio)
Synonyms of keepernext
1
: one that keeps: such as
a
c
: warden
d
e
chiefly British : curator
2
: any of various devices for keeping something in position
3
a
: one suitable for or worth keeping: such as
(1)
: a fruit or vegetable that keeps well
(2)
: a fish large enough to be legally caught and kept
(3)
: one having genuine or lasting merit
their new album is a keeper
b
: a domestic animal considered with respect to how easy it is to care for
an easy keeper
4
5
: an offensive football play in which the quarterback runs with the ball

Examples of keeper in a Sentence

Hold on to that boyfriend of yours—he's a keeper! how should I know where she is? I'm not her keeper
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.
Germany had the ball 76% of the time and outshot Paraguay 21-7, but Paraguayan keeper Orlando Gill was phenomenal, especially in the shootout. Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Tillman planted the free kick in the back net, taking advantage of an open side of the net left by keeper Nikola Vasilj. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 The International Game Fish Association, official keeper of such records, recognizes eight-pound and 12-pound line classes, not six-pound and 10-pound. Tom Opre, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026 More than 90% of keepers would not kill their chickens for meat and more than 75% did not rank them below dogs. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for keeper

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of keeper was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keeper. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

keeper

noun
keep·​er ˈkē-pər How to pronounce keeper (audio)
: one that keeps
they are keepers of their word
especially : a person who watches, guards, or takes care of something or someone
the keeper of a shop

Legal Definition

keeper

noun
keep·​er
: one that takes care of and often is legally responsible for something
a dog's keeper
a keeper of the property

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