1. The player assigned to protect the goal in sports such as soccer or hockey
   "The goaltender made a spectacular save in the final minutes of the match";
   - goalkeeper, goalie, netkeeper [rare], netminder, keeper
    
2. The defensive position on an ice hockey, soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring
   "The team needed to fill the goaltender position after their starter was injured";
   - goalkeeper, goalie, keeper

Derived forms: goaltenders

Type of: athlete, jock [N. Amer, informal], participant, player, position

Encyclopedia: Goaltender