plural goalies
: a player who defends the goal in any of various games (such as hockey, lacrosse, or soccer) : goalkeeper
If the ball carrier continues to cut across in front of the net, the goalie must move with the shooter in order to cover the angle.—Jim Hinkson
As she has so many times during the last four years, Barlow broke away from all of the defenders and beat the goalie with her swift foot and a one-on-one move towards the net.—Brian Moore

Examples of goalie 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.
Utah's most successful drive ended at the halftime break when Dillon Curtis missed a 34-yard field goalie to a sloppy snap-and-hold. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Adding a goalie of Hellebuyck's caliber to the lineup could mean that goals will be at a premium for any team that plays the Devils. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 New York goalie Ethan Horvath made two saves and did not face any shots from Messi. — Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026 Calgary Flames goalie Devin Cooley went viral on Sunday, less for his stellar effort in an upset win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes than for his interview moments after the game. — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for goalie

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goalie was in 1894

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goalie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goalie. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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