goalie

noun

goal·​ie ˈgō-lē How to pronounce goalie (audio)
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.
The majority of the moves made, save for the Tkachuk trade and the moves for the goalies, will impact the periphery of the lineup. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 The Flyers last month acquired goalie Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs. — Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The 37-year-old is headed to Toronto on a three-year deal worth $7 million a year, which, for a goalie who has won two Cups in the last three years, is one heck of a deal. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 Balogun’s fancy footwork broke a scoreless deadlock 45 minutes into the action, booting a left-footed shot through the goalie’s outstretched legs. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 2 July 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

Rhymes for goalie

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Browse Nearby Words

goal crease
goalie
goalkeeper
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Cite this Entry

“Goalie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goalie. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on goalie

Nglish: Translation of goalie for Spanish Speakers

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