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

And as Betts rounded the bases, coolly celebrating his 10th homer of the season with a point to the team’s dugout and bullpen, the futility of his recent struggles quickly faded from memory. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024

Both teams had some decent starting pitching performances and featured struggling offenses and bullpens that blew late leads. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2024

The Giants’ pitching was already on fumes, with Tuesday’s starter listed as TBD and their bullpen throwing the most innings in the majors last month. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024

Stone passed the early 3-0 lead on to the Dodgers’ bullpen. —Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 2 June 2024

But clearly, things haven’t been great lately, especially with the bullpen. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2024

Highlighted by Tanner Scott, Miami’s bullpen also took a big step forward this month. —Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 1 June 2024

And, for a refreshing change of pace, the bullpen was lights out. —Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 27 May 2024

Saarloos praised the bullpen and the team’s mettle for refusing to give in. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 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