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

The bullpen did the rest to help the Rangers take two of three from the NL East champion Phillies. —CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

Over 12 2/3 innings, San Francisco’s bullpen allowed just two runs and totaled 13 strikeouts. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026

The Dodgers’ bullpen continued its scoreless streak for the series, as Alex Vesia, Will Klein and Edwin Díaz shut down the Diamondbacks through the last three innings. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026

There were three come-from-behind victories, and two nights in which Dodger fans can again get accustomed to having a lockdown ninth-inning guy in their bullpen. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026

The bullpen followed Alcantara with a pair of scoreless innings. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

The job went to Rocker, and Latz was relegated to the bullpen. —Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026

Colorado’s bullpen, which on paper is the team’s strength, blanked Miami for 3 2/3 innings. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 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