keeper

play

noun keep·er \ ˈkē-pər \

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

But the keeper blocked the shot with his body and held on to give possession to Burroughs, which ran out the clock.

— jeff tully, Burbank Leader, "Arakelyan leads Burroughs to comeback victory," 29 Aug. 2017
With San Clemente leading 14-0 late in the second quarter, Kyrin Beachem came in at quarterback and sparked the Pirates with back-to-back keepers of 21 and 13 yards.

— tom saxe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Oceanside keeps it close, but San Clemente prevails," 25 Aug. 2017
Most backyard chicken keepers come across an array of egg abnormalities at some point or another.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "Here's What You Should Do If Your Chicken Lays a Lash Egg," 9 Aug. 2017
To that point, the ageless U.S. keeper Tim Howard had been the man of the match, thwarting three legitimate Costa Rican chances along the way.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Dempsey leads U.S. to Gold Cup final in win over Costa Rica," 22 July 2017
Interpreters also serve an essential role as record-keepers, taking notes that end up in the National Archives, Obst said.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "The Strange, High-Pressure Work of Presidential Interpreters," 7 July 2017
Now Kranys is the keeper of the tree, a historical site that bears delicious fruit every year.

— carlos frías, miamiherald, "A 100-year-old tree stands in a Miami yard. Is it the ‘granddaddy of all Florida mangoes?’," 29 June 2017
Schureck is, at times, unorthodox in his methods, but his perspective has helped build the confidence of FC Cincinnati's No. 1 'keeper after what Hildebrandt admitted was a tougher than expected start to the 2017 season.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "The makings of Mitch Hildebrandt's heroic Open Cup performance," 29 June 2017
The keepers' quarters were turned into a small museum.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Take a trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina," 27 June 2017

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

keeper Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

observer, patrol, spotter, surveillant, watchdog; bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard; gatekeeper; hack [slang]

KEEPER Defined for English Language Learners

keeper

play

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