keeper

noun

keep·​er ˈkē-pər How to pronounce keeper (audio)
Synonyms of keepernext
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.
Things got even better for Atletico, and worse for Barcelona, as Alvarez curled the resulting free kick superbly over and around the wall into the top corner — with so much power on the shot that home ‘keeper Joan Garcia could not get across to save. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 Carroll keeper Sophie Adcock, who was superb in goal in the match, didn’t have a chance as Brundage buried it in the back of the net. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026 Reus took matters into his hands to tie the score six minutes later, putting a sharp right-footed shot on goal that Minnesota keeper Drake Callender parried away, then Reus jumped on the rebound with his left foot and lifted the ball over Callender, who was still on the ground. Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026 The Legacy did generate as many shot attempts as the Wave with eight in the game, but none were on target and didn’t test San Diego keeper Leah Freeman, who didn’t register a save. Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 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 11 Apr. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster