goalie

noun

goal·​ie ˈgō-lē How to pronounce goalie (audio)
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.
The goalie was favoring his left arm/shoulder for the rest of the Blue Jackets’ power play, but the Avs’ penalty kill didn’t allow another shot on goal. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025 Hope opposing goaltenders cool off Will Borgen pointed out recently that the Rangers have run into hot goalies. Peter Baugh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Referee Michael Markovic went to center ice to announce the official call after the Devils argued that the Panthers had illegally interfered with their goalie while scoring a goal. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 The Sharks have plenty of talented young forwards in their organization and have a promising goalie in 23-year-old Yaroslav Askarov. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goalie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goalie. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

goalie

noun
goal·​ie ˈgō-lē How to pronounce goalie (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on goalie

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!