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

Our bullpen was absolutely exhausted by the end of the season. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Relief pitcher Cole Sulser, who spent the 2022 season with Miami, is in the Rays’ bullpen. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Woodford was in the Brewers’ bullpen to start the season, appearing in 16 games. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Yet the Braves inexplicably moved the right-hander to the bullpen before the postseason and never afforded him a start in the playoffs. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 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