goaltending

noun

goal·​tend·​ing ˈgōl-ˌten-diŋ How to pronounce goaltending (audio)
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 That’s rather important, considering plenty of rebuilds around the NHL have gone off the rails because teams didn’t have adequate goaltending. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Russell Westbrook sandwiched 3-pointers around a goaltending call on Rui Hachimura before Amir Coffey's 3 sent the Clippers into the fourth leading 106-97. Beth Harris, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024 After 40 minutes of tight-checking and strong goaltending at both ends, his wrist shot from the right point found a hole. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 20 Feb. 2024 Miles Bridges blocked Quinones’ attempt for a goaltending call, and frustrations boiled over into an all-hands skirmish. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024 But a turnover by Herro and a goaltending call on Adebayo left the 76ers down only three. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2024 The Kings had more jump from the start Saturday night, and energy and strong goaltending can go a long way. Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 11 Feb. 2024 Our goaltending is starting to really shape up and turn around. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2024 Defense was non-existent as usual, but the goaltending was solid, given the circumstances, and the players' skill was evident with three goals scored in 18 seconds in the final. Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goaltending.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of goaltending was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near goaltending

Cite this Entry

“Goaltending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goaltending. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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