goaltending

noun

goal·​tend·​ing ˈgōl-ˌten-diŋ 

1

: the act of guarding a goal (as in hockey)

2

: a violation in basketball that involves touching or deflecting a ball that is on its downward path toward the basket or on or within the rim of the basket

Examples of goaltending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So while this iteration of the Golden Knights may not be perfect — the second pair is still risky and hasn’t adequately replaced Alex Pietrangelo, and the goaltending isn’t otherworldly — this level of play was still in them. —Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026

There was a goaltending call that was missed, and the typical flopping situations that people sometimes correctly point out. —David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026

Coach Jared Bednar, who is facing external criticism and questions about his future, praised the Golden Knights’ checking and goaltending. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

Dartmouth would only score one goal for the remainder of the game, but was able to keep the Bishops at bay with stout defense and excellent goaltending from junior Letty Nelson. —Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for goaltending

• amending
• appending
• ascending
• attending
• befriending
• commending
• contending
• defending
• depending
• descending
• distending
• expending