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

But, like virtually every contender, some changes will continue to come in the bullpen. —Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Weaver and Devin Williams — the other former Yankees closer in the Mets’ bullpen — recorded the final nine outs in Saturday’s victory, which evened the Subway Series at one win apiece going into Sunday afternoon’s finale. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 May 2026

Braves starter Grant Holmes threw six shutout innings, and the Atlanta bullpen combined to allow one run over three innings. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 May 2026

The Dodgers made a couple of roster moves regarding the bullpen prior to Sunday’s game. —Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 17 May 2026

With a reliever warming up in the bullpen, Sanchez struck out Marcell Ozuna to reach 13 strikeouts for the first time and then retired Nick Yorke on a groundball to end it. —CBS News, 16 May 2026

Then there’s Justin Wrobleski, who was the Dodgers’ biggest surprise in April after starting the season in the bullpen and taking hold of the sixth starter spot. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 May 2026

Both teams turned to their bullpens late. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026

The bullpen is located behind the stadium's right-field wall and in front of Sections 104 and 105. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 May 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