goalie

/ˈgoʊli/

/ˈgʌʊli/

Other forms: goalies

In sports, the goalie is the player whose main job is to stop the ball or puck when the opposing team attempts to score a point. A soccer goalie is the only player allowed to grab the ball with her hands.

Goalie is short for goalkeeper or goaltender. Soccer (or association football), hockey, water polo, and lacrosse are just some of the sports that use a goalie to intercept shots into the goal. Ice hockey and lacrosse goalies wear protective clothing and a face mask, while a soccer goalie's uniform is usually a distinctive color, different from other players.

Definitions of goalie

1. noun

   the soccer or hockey player assigned to protect the goal
   synonyms: goalkeeper, goaltender, netkeeper, netminder

   type of:

   hockey player, ice-hockey player

   an athlete who plays hockey

   soccer player

   an athlete who plays soccer
2. noun

   the defensive position on an ice hockey or soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring
   synonyms: goalkeeper, goaltender, netkeeper

   type of:

   position

   (in team sports) the role assigned to an individual player