goaltender: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Sporting, Journalistic, Colloquial (in sporting contexts)
Quick answer
What does “goaltender” mean?
A player in sports such as ice hockey or lacrosse whose position is in front of the goal and whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A player in sports such as ice hockey or lacrosse whose position is in front of the goal and whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
A defensive player whose sole purpose is to guard the goal and block shots; by metaphorical extension, can refer to someone who protects something valuable or serves as a final line of defence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term 'goaltender' is almost exclusively used in reference to ice hockey. The far more common term for the position in football is 'goalkeeper'. In American English, 'goaltender' is the standard term in ice hockey and lacrosse. 'Goalie' is a common colloquial synonym in both varieties.
Connotations
Has a technical, slightly formal sporting connotation compared to the more casual 'goalie'. In American contexts, it is the official, neutral term.
Frequency
Much more frequent in North American English than in British English due to the prominence of ice hockey and lacrosse.
Grammar
How to Use “goaltender” in a Sentence
[team/coach] + pull + the goaltender[player] + skate + past + the goaltender[shot/puck] + beat + the goaltenderVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “goaltender” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The goaltender coach worked on his stance.
- A goaltender equipment check is mandatory.
American English
- The goaltender coach worked on his stance.
- He has great goaltender instincts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically: 'She acted as the goaltender, catching all the major errors before the product launch.'
Academic
Used only in sports science, sports history, or related sociological studies.
Everyday
Used primarily by fans or participants of ice hockey or lacrosse. Not common in general conversation outside these contexts.
Technical
Standard technical term in ice hockey rulebooks, coaching manuals, and sports analytics (e.g., 'goaltender save percentage' or 'GAA - Goals Against Average').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “goaltender”
- Spelling as 'goaltender' is correct; 'goaltend' is not a verb. The verb is 'to tend goal'.
- Using 'goaltender' for a football/soccer player in British contexts sounds odd or Americanised.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are functionally similar roles but in different sports. 'Goaltender' is used in ice hockey and lacrosse. 'Goalkeeper' is used in football/soccer, handball, and some other sports. The equipment, rules, and techniques differ significantly.
No. You cannot say 'he goaltenders for the team'. The correct phrasing is 'he is the goaltender for the team' or 'he tends goal for the team'.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Goalie' is simply a common, informal abbreviation of 'goaltender', widely accepted in both speech and writing within sports contexts.
No, in field hockey the defensive player who guards the goal is called a 'goalkeeper'.
A player in sports such as ice hockey or lacrosse whose position is in front of the goal and whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
Goaltender is usually sporting, journalistic, colloquial (in sporting contexts) in register.
Goaltender: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊlˌtɛndə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊlˌtɛndər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pulling the goaltender (ice hockey strategy to add an extra attacker)”
- “standing on his/her head (said of a goaltender making spectacular saves)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word split: GOAL + TENDER. The player is 'tending' (caring for/guarding) the 'goal'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE GOALTENDER IS A BARRIER/SHIELD; THE GOALTENDER IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'goaltender' LEAST commonly used?