blueliner

noun

blue·​lin·​er ˈblü-ˌlī-nər How to pronounce blueliner (audio)
: a defenseman in ice hockey

Examples of blueliner 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.
Bouchard has become one of the best offensive defensemen of his era and one of the most proficient point-producing blueliners of all time in the postseason. The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 21 June 2025 After obtaining the rights to Swedish defenseman Victor Soderstrom on Friday, the Bruins inked the blueliner to a one-year, two-way deal that carries an NHL cap hit of $775,000 on Saturday. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025 In addition to scoring his fourth goal of the playoffs, most among Florida defensemen and tied for second among all blueliners, Jones played a team-high 34:35 on Friday. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025 He’s tied for third in the league among blueliners in points (11) and assists (eight) while being tied for fourth in goals (three) while averaging just shy of 24 minutes of ice time per game. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025 In addition to being stellar defensively, the 29-year-old blueliner has shown some offensive pop as of late. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025 Again, there was tons of traffic in front thanks to Oilers blueliner Jake Walman trying to block the shot and Stars winger Jason Robertson right by the goalie. Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 22 May 2025 There was confidence expressed in getting the shutdown blueliner signed, and there seemed to be momentum as Gavrikov switched agents, going from Dan Milstein to Pat Brisson, a longtime friend of team president Luc Robitaille. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 3 May 2025 More like five defensemen for Edmonton Without Mattias Ekholm and Troy Stecher due to injuries, plus John Klingberg just working his way back from an infected ankle, the Oilers elected to dress Josh Brown as their sixth blueliner. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blueliner was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blueliner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blueliner. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!