keeper

noun keep·er \ ˈkē-pər \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

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

Rifield was an unofficial historian of the brand, as well as a keeper of its institutional memory.

— Vogue, "At Vogue for More Than 30 Years, Phyllis Rifield Was Tiny and Mighty," 5 Apr. 2018
Mauro Icardi – one of Europe’s most lethal finishers – was handed only a sniff on goal when rolled in one on one with Donnarumma before rolling it through the legs of the Milan keeper.

— SI.com, "AC Milan 0-0 Inter: Nightmare Night for Mauro Icardi Leaves Inter Kicking Themselves in Derby Draw," 4 Apr. 2018
Shining a Spotlight Last April, Sudan famously helped spread awareness about rhino conservation when his keepers created a profile for him on a dating app.

— National Geographic, "Last Male Northern White Rhino Sudan Remembered in Ceremony," 31 Mar. 2018
Thanks to technology, there are no gate-keepers anymore.

— USA TODAY, "Phil Rosenthal has the dream job we all want," 19 Mar. 2018
But the keepers of college basketball will be more than happy to have folks investigating the hazy logic of tournament snubs rather than discussing the FBI investigation that has cast a cloud over the sport.

— christopher l. gasper, BostonGlobe.com, "There’s a dark cloud hanging over this year’s NCAA Tournament," 12 Mar. 2018
Aurora was known for her calm, good-natured personality and loved spending time with her keepers every day, according to the zoo’s website.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "There’s a death in the family for one of the NC Zoo’s most beloved animals | Charlotte Observer," 9 Mar. 2018
Brignac was there to put the ball into the back of the net and out of the reach of Barbe keeper Ethan Anderson.

— andrew valenti, NOLA.com, "Jesuit 2, Barbe 0: Braden Brignac, Jacques Gaudet each score in playoff shutout," 2 Feb. 2018
In 1990, the Federal District Court in Norfolk, Va., ruled that the salvagers, Thompson and his company, Columbus-America Discovery Group, were the owners of the treasure, according to the principle of finders keepers.

— karla zabludovsky, Newsweek, "Sunken Ship Laden With Gold Lures Treasure Hunters – Again," 19 Mar. 2014

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, 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