Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

goalpost

/ˈɡoʊlpoʊst/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.26 in modern English

Syllables: goal-post
IPA: /ˈɡoʊlpoʊst/

11

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

One of the two vertical side poles of a goal.

noun

The tall Y-shaped upright, now usually of fiberglass, at either end of the playing field, through which a football must go in order for a field goal to be scored. (They were originally H-shaped, with one wooden post on either side.)

noun

A rule or target that is "moved" (changed) unfairly; see move the goalposts.

Example Sentences

"Some kids were having a kickabout on the grass beside the walkway, cheering, groaning, calling for the ball, absorbed in the game, a self-contained universe marked out by jackets for goalposts and invisible touchlines."
"[…] whatever you eat, how much you drink, you know the goalposts keep moving all the time, and it's difficult to be sure that, but I don't think it's harmful, not the amount I drink."

Etymology

From goal + post.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɡoʊlpoʊst/
British English: /ˈɡəʊlpəʊst/

Inflected Forms

goalposts (plural)

Phrases

jumpers for goalposts move the goalposts

Rhymes With

most post almost supposed coast first coast host ghost toast roast foremost rubbing post

Questions

How do you pronounce goalpost?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɡoʊlpoʊst/.
What does goalpost mean?: One of the two vertical side poles of a goal.
Where does goalpost come from?: From goal + post.

How to pronounce goalpost

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “goalpost”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɡoʊlpoʊst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “goalpost”.
Repeat and practice — Say “goalpost” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.