wicketkeeper

noun

wick·​et·​keep·​er ˈwi-kət-ˌkē-pər How to pronounce wicketkeeper (audio)
: a fielder in cricket who stands behind the wicket at which the ball is being bowled

Examples of wicketkeeper in a Sentence

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.
India’s wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant received a demerit point from the ICC after the first Test at Headingley for throwing the ball on the floor in frustration after umpire Paul Reiffel had inspected it and turned down his request for a replacement. James Wallace, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 Ben Duckett of England defends as wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant of India looks on during day four of the 1st Rothesay Test Match between England and India at Headingley on June 23, 2025 in Leeds, England. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 The wicketkeeper’s undefeated 120 from 86 balls in the chase followed up his super century in Sri Lanka last month. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was a promising wicketkeeper before choosing football. Michael Cox, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025 The 31-year-old de Kock, who is also the team’s wicketkeeper, brought his half century up off just 26 balls inside nine overs, with South Africa scoring over a run a ball. Ben Morse, CNN, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1750, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wicketkeeper was circa 1750

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wicketkeeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wicketkeeper. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wicketkeeper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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