1. One having charge of buildings, grounds or animals
   "The school keeper ensured the classrooms were clean and well-maintained";
   - custodian, steward
    
2. Someone in charge of other people
   "am I my brother's keeper?"
    
3. The player assigned to protect the goal in sports such as soccer or hockey
   "The keeper made a spectacular save in the final minutes of the match";
   - goalkeeper, goalie, goaltender [N. Amer], netkeeper [rare], netminder
    
4. 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 keeper position after their starter was injured";
   - goalkeeper, goalie, goaltender [N. Amer]
    
5. (cricket) the person who stands behind the wicket to catch balls
   "The agile wicket-keeper prevented several runs with quick catches";
   - wicket-keeper, wicketkeeper
    
6. A part of a mechanism that catches or secures another part
   "The lock's keeper was worn, causing the door to rattle"

Derived forms: keepers

Type of: athlete, cricketer, defender, guardian, jock [N. Amer, informal], participant, player, position, protector, shielder

Encyclopedia: Keeper