goaltender

noun

goal·​tend·​er ˈgōl-ˌten-dər How to pronounce goaltender (audio)
: goalkeeper

Examples of goaltender 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.
Now, the Panthers are also without their starting goaltender for the near future. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 There is hope of a turnaround given this start, even missing franchise goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the rest of the season. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, who had 19 saves for his third shutout in his last six starts, wasn’t pressured often, and the few shots that did fly his way missed the net. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Werenski then found Johnson in the slot, who fired a wrist shot past Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand for his team-leading fourth goal of the season as the Blue Jackets snapped a two-game slide. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for goaltender

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of goaltender was in 1882

Rhymes for goaltender

See All Rhymes for goaltender

Browse Nearby Words

goal set
goaltender
goaltending
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goaltender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goaltender. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

goaltender

noun
goal·​tend·​er -ˌten-dər How to pronounce goaltender (audio)
: goalkeeper
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All