1
: the act of guarding a goal (as in hockey)
2
: a violation in basketball that involves touching or deflecting a ball that is on its downward path toward the basket or on or within the rim of the basket

Examples of goaltending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Rival clubs may need to see their goaltending fail before stepping up with an offer that satisfies Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 July 2026 Still, the Sharks likely can’t get below-average goaltending and expect to make the playoffs. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Stillwater’s Casey Mork made nine saves in a scintillating goaltending duel with East Ridge counterpart Ryan Shanley, who stopped 11 shots. Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 11 June 2026 The problems have been depth and goaltending, and this ironically mirrors Babcock's situation in Toronto. Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for goaltending

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of goaltending was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Goaltending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goaltending. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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