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
Bruce A. Scruton2
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
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
Sports Illustrated3
: 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
Carl RuffExamples of bullpen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ohtani has made his pitching debut for the Dodgers this season, but could he be better served in the bullpen down the stretch, rather than in the rotation?
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
The Dodgers threw a bullpen game in the series finale.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
During the session, someone from the A’s placed a towel over the bullpen camera — presumably so that the Yankees couldn’t use it to watch Severino work.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 29 June 2025
Use a regular bullpen pitcher, and spare us, your fans, from flinching.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
No, Cashman, like Stearns, will likely concentrate on bullpen parts at the trade deadline and perhaps a utility infielder.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
There remains no timeline for anything — not throwing with full intensity, not getting on a mound in the bullpen, not a return to play.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2025
Right-hander Sam Bachman has quickly risen up the Angels’ bullpen depth chart in less than two weeks in the majors.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
Plus top prospect Andrew Painter is heading toward his own big-league debut, Aaron Nola is working toward a return from injury and Taijuan Walker is adjusting to a new role in the bullpen.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
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Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
The Dodgers threw a bullpen game in the series finale.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
During the session, someone from the A’s placed a towel over the bullpen camera — presumably so that the Yankees couldn’t use it to watch Severino work.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 29 June 2025
Use a regular bullpen pitcher, and spare us, your fans, from flinching.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
No, Cashman, like Stearns, will likely concentrate on bullpen parts at the trade deadline and perhaps a utility infielder.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025
There remains no timeline for anything — not throwing with full intensity, not getting on a mound in the bullpen, not a return to play.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2025
Right-hander Sam Bachman has quickly risen up the Angels’ bullpen depth chart in less than two weeks in the majors.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
Plus top prospect Andrew Painter is heading toward his own big-league debut, Aaron Nola is working toward a return from injury and Taijuan Walker is adjusting to a new role in the bullpen.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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