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.
Let’s whip through different types and levels of starting goalies for this upcoming season. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Plante was the first goalie to wear a mask regularly and was one of the first to play the puck outside the crease in a practice that is now commonplace. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Here below, France’s own long-drink-of-water goalie Robin Risser does his best Beckham follow-on act with a stately Louis Vuitton carry-all with their trademark leather trim at the stress points. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Speaking of goalies, there will be a new face in the mix after Joonas Korpisalo was moved to clear cap space and make room for Michael DiPietro. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 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 Sep. 2026.

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