keeper

noun

keep·​er ˈkē-pər How to pronounce keeper (audio)
1
: one that keeps: such as
a
c
: warden
d
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko each had first-half strikes against Sunderland, while 23-year-old keeper Senne Lammens had a three-save clean sheet in his debut. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 The Cardinals opened scoring with a 75-yard touchdown drive capped by a 1-yard Miller Moss quarterback keeper. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025 As of Thursday’s close, the streak stands at 67 sessions, according to MarketEdge, the keeper of the Oscillator. Matthew J. Belvedere,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025 Mahseiah Banks and quarterback Brandon Hahm led the Fighting Irish down field for a 47-yard scoring drive that tied the game 7-7 on Hahm’s 7-yard keeper. David Delgado, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keeper

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of keeper was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keeper. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

keeper

noun
keep·​er ˈkē-pər How to pronounce keeper (audio)
: 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

Legal Definition

keeper

noun
keep·​er
: one that takes care of and often is legally responsible for something
a dog's keeper
a keeper of the property

More from Merriam-Webster on keeper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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