bullpen

noun

bull·​pen ˈbu̇l-ˌpen 

 also  ˈbəl-

variants or less commonly bull pen

plural bullpens also bull pens

1

: a large cell where prisoners are detained until brought into court

Commonly called the "bullpen," the court lockup is behind the courtroom and is used as a holding area for prisoners …

—Bruce A. Scruton

2

a

: a place on a baseball field where pitchers warm up before they start pitching

In the bullpen, Goose Gossage is warming up.

—Tony Scherman

b

: the relief pitchers of a baseball team

After five innings Seattle led 14-2 and, with baseball's best bullpen waiting to protect the lead should starter Aaron Sele falter …

—Sports Illustrated

3

: an open work area not divided into offices

… an alternative to the traditional combination of private offices for the brass and bullpens for the workers.

—Carl Ruff

Examples of bullpen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pitchers worked in the bullpen, awaiting the live action to follow. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024

Perez is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday after feeling elbow discomfort during a bullpen session earlier this week. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024

Working out of the bullpen, right-hander Cody Delvecchio (Mission Hills) is 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Former Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals relief pitcher Chad Kuhl will be in the bullpen, along with previous Atlanta Braves hurler Touki Toussaint. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024

Relievers Chris Stratton and Nick Anderson pitched out of the bullpen. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024

Promising Mason Miller will begin the season in the bullpen and could end up being part of the late-game mix. —Staff and Wire Reports, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2024

Marsh worked on the sweeper in bullpen sessions and while playing catch with other pitchers. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024

But the bullpen might be a little thin after last season’s trade of closer Paul Sewald to Arizona. —Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bull pen

noun

1

: a large cell where prisoners are held until brought into court

2

a

: a place on a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up

b

: the relief pitchers of a team