tune-up

noun

ˈtün-ˌəp 

ˈtyün-

1

: a general adjustment to ensure operation at peak efficiency

an engine tune-up

2

: a preliminary trial : warm-up

Examples of tune-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His start functioned instead as one last tune-up before next week’s Wild Card playoff series. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

The Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Boston Bruins in their penultimate tune-up before their season-opener against their arch-rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Saturday will mark the final tune-up game of sorts for Miami before the schedule truly picks up the rest of the way. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

But Ohtani’s return was still significant, and the success of his end-of-season tune-up will have playoff implications. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tune-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

tune-up

noun

ˈt(y)ü-ˌnəp

: a general adjustment to get everything in good working order

an engine tune-up