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

Their bullpen is probably fairly tired for today's game, though. —David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026

Of course, this is the same bullpen that set a team record for most consecutive scoreless innings. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

The Royals will offer him a fresh start and chance to carve out a role in the bullpen. —Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026

If the rest of their rotation stays healthy — that’s a big if — Weathers could shift to the bullpen whenever Max Fried returns from a bone bruise. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026

Cleveland's bullpen combined for four shutout innings with Cade Smith getting the last four outs for his MLB-leading 23rd save. —ABC News, 13 June 2026

Zoll also said Kendry Rojas (left elbow inflammation) would throw a live batting practice at Fort Myers on Saturday and Mick Abel (right elbow inflammation) will participate in a light bullpen at Target Field. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 13 June 2026

The bullpen, of course, remains baseball’s best … but Tyler Kinley’s IL-inducing elbow inflammation isn’t ideal. —Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 12 June 2026

Walker joins a bullpen that has been one of the worst in baseball in recent weeks. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bullpen

• again
• airmen
• amen
• culmen
• flagmen
• gunmen
• lawmen
• oilmen
• playpen
• schoolmen
• tegmen
• ben

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