Other forms: goalkeepers
A goalkeeper is the one player allowed to use hands to guard the net. A great goalkeeper, the goalkeeper saved it, substitute goalkeeper.
The hands only work inside the penalty area, and the keeper is the only player who may be sent off and replaced by a substitute in the same position. Shortened to keeper or goalie in ordinary speech.
1noungoalkeeperThe one player allowed to use hands to guard the net.
“The goalkeeper dived to his left and caught the ball just before it crossed the line.”
goalkeeper is a player.
Also accepted in games: goalie, keeper
From goal + keeper.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA