keeper

noun keep·er \ ˈkē-pər \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: keeper in a Sentence

Definition of keeper

1 : one that keeps: such as

a : protector

b : gamekeeper

c : warden

d : custodian

e chiefly British : curator

2 : any of various devices for keeping something in position

3 a : one suitable for or worth keeping: such as

(1) : a fruit or vegetable that keeps well

(2) : a fish large enough to be legally caught and kept

(3) : one having genuine or lasting merit

their new album is a keeper

b : a domestic animal considered with respect to how easy it is to care for

an easy keeper

4 : goalkeeper

5 : an offensive football play in which the quarterback runs with the ball

See keeper defined for English-language learners

See keeper defined for kids

Examples of keeper in a Sentence

Hold on to that boyfriend of yours—he's a keeper!
how should I know where she is? I'm not her keeper

Recent Examples of keeper from the Web

Berg isn’t just a keeper of secrets, but a man of secrets too.

— barbara vandenburgh, azcentral, "In ‘The Catcher Was a Spy,' Paul Rudd is baseball-playing man of secrets," 21 June 2018
But Ronan and Howle are the keepers of its true spirit.

— stephanie zacharek, Time, "On Chesil Beach Is a Moving Tale of Love Without Lust," 17 May 2018
In their Broadway East neighborhood, the couple have been the keepers of a block squeezed by crime and blight.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "‘The block took my baby’: Shooting haunts East Baltimore home of retirees, 'block captain'," 27 Apr. 2018
In the 20 years since a freak accident left writer Eve Babitz badly burned and largely unwilling to do press, her literary agent, Erica Spellman Silverman, aided by Babitz’s younger sister, Mirandi, has been the keeper of Babitz’s legacy.

— olivia aylmer, Vanities, "Eve Babitz Is Better Than Ever—Just Ask Her Longtime Agent, Erica Spellman Silverman," 18 Apr. 2018
If Kilgore was a keeper wouldn’t San Francisco have been kept him after just doing his deal?

— omar kelly, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Kelly: Dolphins are building a roster with better depth, but where is the game-changing talent? | Commentary," 16 Mar. 2018
Lawson, a co-founder of the Community of Mobile Facebook page, spoke about being your brother's keeper.

— michael dumas, AL.com, "Community of Mobile Facebook group uses social network for societal change," 14 Mar. 2018
At the Greene County History Museum, Betty Fletcher is the keeper of all things Andrew Johnson, including tickets to his 1868 impeachment trial.

— CBS News, "Andrew Johnson: The unfortunate president," 18 Feb. 2018
All of the tournaments top keepers, including Courtois and Pickford, have learned to fall back on the most essential part of their games: their reflexes.

— joshua robinson, WSJ, "France to Hugo Lloris: Get Back in Goal," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'keeper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of keeper

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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keeper Synonyms

Synonyms

custodian, guard, guardian, lookout, minder, picket, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watcher, watchman;

bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard;

gatekeeper;

KEEPER Defined for English Language Learners

keeper

noun

Definition of keeper for English Language Learners

: a person whose job is to guard or take care of something or someone
: something or someone that is worth keeping : something or someone that is good, valuable, etc.
American football : a play in which the quarterback runs with the ball