gatekeeper

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'gatekeeper' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who controls access to someone or something. For example: "The gatekeeper is the only one with the authority to grant access to the facility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

William was my guide, my inspiration and the gatekeeper to a new and better world.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jack Monroe: Community Shop is no good if you don't have any money Young people are setting up workers' co-operatives to fight against inequality Zara Aziz: Being a 'generalist and gatekeeper' is no longer sustainable for a GP Regional cities drive prosperity, says a charter for local freedom After Rotherham, how can councils do more to protect children?

The Guardian

First, though, we are stopped by the gatekeeper of a quite surreal bridge over the Sile canal: it's a ponte a pagamento (toll bridge) resting on second world war pontoons, and we part with 70 cents for the privilege of crossing.

The Guardian - Travel

The current model of a GP being a generalist and gatekeeper is no longer sustainable.

The Guardian

There is less satisfaction about the appointment of King Salman's youngest son, Muhammad bin Salman, to two powerful roles: head of the royal court, in effect the king's gatekeeper, and defence minister.The Al Sauds cannot look to past stability as a guarantee of a safe future.

The Economist

His ashes are aboard New Horizons, and come July no one will have a better view of this cold, lonely gatekeeper of the outer solar system, from which the rest of the universe is but a skip away.

The Economist

If, on the other hand, China has a hard landing and its oil demand falls, expect prices to plunge.In this section Second thoughts on the third age Finding something to crow about Gas-fired dragon The gatekeeper Sub-prime time On the trail The real picture Reprints.

The Economist

Although vertical integration has worked in the pay-TV market for the likes of Rupert Murdoch, with BSkyB, and John Malone, when he was running TCI, an American cable system, the gatekeeper power that it relies on does not translate easily to the Internet.

The Economist

French patients retain their choice of primary physician, who, while acting as a gatekeeper in order to limit redundant tests, is not employed by an insurance firm to do so.Another key feature of the French system is the way it manages severe chronic illnesses (tuberculosis, HIV, etc) that require expensive, long-term treatment.

The Economist

As a mere manufacturer, Bill Gates's business practices might already be described as aggressive; were he to become the whole wired world's gatekeeper, as he would like, they would surely be more so.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Again, it's more egalitarian: there are fewer gatekeepers between you and the people who you might want to impress, or who might want to impress you.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gatekeeper" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly indicates what access is being controlled. For example, "The editor acted as a gatekeeper, ensuring only high-quality articles were published."

Common error

Avoid using "gatekeeper" when the entity only has limited influence, not full control. For example, a suggestion box is not a "gatekeeper" of ideas, as it merely collects them.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gatekeeper" is as a noun, referring to a person or thing that controls access. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe individuals in positions of power and even molecules that control processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

6%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "gatekeeper" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an entity controlling access. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, noting frequent usage in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While "gatekeeper" maintains a neutral register and is widely understood, it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects the scope of control. Alternatives include "access controller", "guardian", and "custodian", offering nuanced shades of meaning. Remember, calling someone a "gatekeeper" implies considerable power in determining who gains access, highlighting both opportunity and potential bias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

access controller

Emphasizes the function of controlling who or what has access.

guardian

Implies a protective role in addition to controlling access.

custodian

Suggests responsibility for safekeeping and oversight.

regulator

Focuses on the act of controlling or maintaining a system.

controller

Highlights the power to direct or manage.

screener

Specifically refers to filtering or examining something or someone.

filter

Implies a process of selection and exclusion.

checkpoint

Refers to a specific location where control is exercised.

portal

Implies an entry point under some kind of control.

doorkeeper

A more literal and old-fashioned term for someone guarding a door.

FAQs

How is "gatekeeper" used in a sentence?

The term "gatekeeper" refers to someone who controls access to something. For instance, "The editor acted as a gatekeeper, deciding which articles would be published."

What can I say instead of "gatekeeper"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "access controller", "guardian", or "custodian".

What does it mean when someone is called a "gatekeeper"?

Calling someone a "gatekeeper" implies that they have the power to decide who or what gets access to a particular resource, opportunity, or position.

In healthcare, what does "gatekeeper" mean?

In healthcare, a "gatekeeper" is often a primary care physician who controls patient access to specialists and other medical services, ensuring appropriate care and managing costs.