plural goalies
: a player who defends the goal in any of various games (such as hockey, lacrosse, or soccer) : goalkeeper
If the ball carrier continues to cut across in front of the net, the goalie must move with the shooter in order to cover the angle.—Jim Hinkson
As she has so many times during the last four years, Barlow broke away from all of the defenders and beat the goalie with her swift foot and a one-on-one move towards the net.—Brian Moore

Examples of goalie 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.
Now the Huskies, who reached the NCAA’s Elite Eight last year, have a strong cast of skaters led by high-scoring Claire Murdoch, but will be looking for the next goalie. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026 The 24-year-old goalie often struggled with inconsistency in an erratic 2025-26 season. — Max Bultman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for goalie

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goalie was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“Goalie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goalie. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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