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keeper

noun
keep·​er | \ ˈkÄ“-pÉ™r How to pronounce keeper (audio) \

Definition of keeper

1 : one that keeps: such as
a : protector
b : gamekeeper
c : warden
d : custodian
e chiefly British : curator
2 : any of various devices for keeping something in position
3a : one suitable for or worth keeping: such as
(1) : a fruit or vegetable that keeps well
(2) : a fish large enough to be legally caught and kept
(3) : one having genuine or lasting merit their new album is a keeper
b : a domestic animal considered with respect to how easy it is to care for an easy keeper
4 : goalkeeper
5 : an offensive football play in which the quarterback runs with the ball
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about keeper

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Examples of keeper in a Sentence

Hold on to that boyfriend of yours—he's a keeper! how should I know where she is? I'm not her keeper

Recent Examples on the Web

 The senior keeper has been the backbone in net the past three seasons. — Matt Doherty, BostonGlobe.com, "EMass. boys’ soccer preview: Players to watch," 2 Sep. 2019 Mads Jorgensen, on a free kick, beat the Riverhounds keeper with a shot to the top right corner a minute into the half. — Dom Amore, courant.com, "Hartford Athletic breakdowns lead to 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh before another spirited Dillon Stadium crowd," 28 July 2019 The keepers give them to various animals that then have to figure out how to open them to get their treats. — Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Who grooms your dog?," 6 July 2019 This being Alyssa’s first big tournament as the starting keeper, she’s shown great confidence and composure. — Kevin Baxter, latimes.com, "Women’s World Cup: U.S. goalie Alyssa Naeher isn’t trying to be Hope Solo," 1 July 2019 France have gotten four solid shots, but neither made it to the U.S. keeper. — Thom Craver, CBS News, "Women's World Cup: U.S. defeats France, 2-1," 28 June 2019 But a byzantine compendium of evidence must be offered up to Guinness before the record keeper will confirm the feat. — David Ferry, SFChronicle.com, "Inside the mysterious sport of ‘country collecting’," 11 June 2019 Swarms have appeared to become more frequent in the Big Apple after the city council voted in 2010 to legalize beekeeping, bringing and an influx of keepers and hives to New York. — Fox News, "NYPD beekeeper removes 25,000 honeybees from Staten Island Ferry," 6 Aug. 2019 The sequence began with Jordan Harvey sending a long ball over the top that Rossi raced onto, chested down on the bounce, then lifted over New England keeper Matt Turner and under the crossbar for his fifth goal in six games. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, "LAFC dominates Revolution to hand Bruce Arena his first loss," 3 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'keeper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of keeper

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for keeper

keeper

noun
How to pronounce keeper (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of keeper

: a person whose job is to guard or take care of something or someone
US, informal : something or someone that is worth keeping : something or someone that is good, valuable, etc.
American football : a play in which the quarterback runs with the ball

See the full definition for keeper in the English Language Learners Dictionary

keeper

noun
keep·​er | \ ˈkÄ“-pÉ™r How to pronounce keeper (audio) \

Kids Definition of keeper

: a person who watches, guards, or takes care of something

keeper

noun
keep·​er

Legal Definition of keeper

: one that takes care of and often is legally responsible for something a dog's keeper a keeper of the property

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More from Merriam-Webster on keeper

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with keeper

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for keeper

Spanish Central: Translation of keeper

Nglish: Translation of keeper for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of keeper for Arabic Speakers

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