1
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
5
: an offensive football play in which the quarterback runs with the ball
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 on the Web
Stake out an absurd-sounding position, freak out all the institutionalists and keepers of consensus, rattle the markets and then use the madman’s leverage to induce other countries to accept an advantageous-for-America deal?
—
Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Kuemper is expected to be the third keeper behind Binnington and Thompson.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Along with Dickey, there was Ruthie Jones, who went on to an All-ACC, All-American career for Duke (2019-2023), and Paige Nurkin, who became the starting keeper at Columbia University (2020-23), with a graduate season (2024) at Wake Forest.
—Steve Goldberg, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
During the half-hour show, animal keepers raise awareness of the conservation efforts at LA Zoo, engage with the audience about the perils of keeping exotic animals as pets, and inform visitors of the critical roles each bird plays in the environment.
—Staff Report, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keeper
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Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Kuemper is expected to be the third keeper behind Binnington and Thompson.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Along with Dickey, there was Ruthie Jones, who went on to an All-ACC, All-American career for Duke (2019-2023), and Paige Nurkin, who became the starting keeper at Columbia University (2020-23), with a graduate season (2024) at Wake Forest.
—Steve Goldberg, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2026
During the half-hour show, animal keepers raise awareness of the conservation efforts at LA Zoo, engage with the audience about the perils of keeping exotic animals as pets, and inform visitors of the critical roles each bird plays in the environment.
—Staff Report, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for keeper
Cite this Entry
“Keeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keeper. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
keeper
noun
keep·er
ˈkē-pər 
: one that keeps
they are keepers of their word
especially
: a person who watches, guards, or takes care of something or someone
the keeper of a shop
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