Gatekeep Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈɡeɪtˈkip/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A social phenomenon in which a person or group restricts access to knowledge, resources, or experiences, often through a sense of ownership, expertise, or privilege.

Examples

• Some music festivals have a reputation for gatekeeping, excluding underground artists from the main stage.
• Academic journals often face criticism for gatekeeping knowledge, limiting access to research findings.
• The community of socially conscious influencers is guilty of gatekeeping, promoting only certain brands.
• Professional athletes may gatekeep opportunities for younger, up-and-coming players.

Etymology

The term “gatekeep” is derived from the concept of a gatekeeper, an individual or institution that controls access to information, resources, or experiences.

Usage Notes

Gatekeep is often used in critiques of social, cultural, economic, and power dynamics.

Cultural References

The term has been used in various TV shows, movies, and online discussions to describe the phenomenon of restricting access or controlling information.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idioms related to gatekeeping include “owning a topic,” “being a gatekeeper,” or “controlling the narrative.”

Related Words or Phrases

Words and phrases closely related to gatekeeping include “exclusive,” “elitist,” “privileged,” and ” gate-crasher.”

Collocations

Common word combinations with gatekeep include “industry,” “community,” “sphere,” and “movement.”

Frequency of Use

The term gatekeep is relatively new, but its usage has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in online conversations and social media.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings and variations of gatekeep include “gatekeep,” “gatekeeper,” “gate-keep,” and “gatkeep.”