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 Yankees, who have scored eight runs over their losing streak, were otherwise quiet against Brandon Young and Baltimore’s bullpen, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding five runners. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026

Hoby credits his experience relieving at Texas for positioning him well for the transition to the bullpen in pro ball. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Nick Robert returns Miami’s bullpen received a boost recently with the return of Nick Robert, who was in the team’s starting rotation last season before sustaining a season-ending elbow injury last April that kept him shelved for more than a year. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 May 2026

Max Lazar, who spent much of last summer in the Phillies’ bullpen, is with Double-A Reading on a rehab assignment after suffering an oblique strain in the World Baseball Classic. —Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 10 May 2026

Nobody warmed in the Astros’ bullpen in the top of the fourth. —Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 2026

Leading 4-1 in the fourth, the Falcons had runners on first and second with one out and a chance to extend the lead, but Bram Schwartz came out of the bullpen to get the final two outs, and then pitch a scoreless fifth. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026

By pitching deep into the game, Early was able to set up the back end of the Red Sox bullpen for a clean finish. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 9 May 2026

But the bullpen was also assisted by Isbel’s two stellar defensive plays. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 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