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
Triston McKenzie, looked upon as a potential starter, was so erratic in spring training, he was dispatched to the Guardians bullpen to start the season.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Minter joined the Mets in the offseason on a two-year, $22 million contract with an opt-out, filling a void in a bullpen that lacked a high-leverage lefty for most of last season.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Either way, the days and games without Martinez in the bullpen will be a crucial stretch for the Diamondbacks.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Ragans continues to receive treatment and has a bullpen scheduled.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025
The Cubs on Sunday sent down reliever Ethan Roberts and called up left-hander Tom Cosgrove to give the bullpen three lefties.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
Playing center field and shaded towards right, Bader raced to his right made a Byron Buxton-like diving catch of a 108-mph liner and slid onto the warning track in front of the bullpens.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2025
A number of qualities have led to the success of the bullpen, with velocity and pitch shapes being two of them.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
Royals reliever John Schreiber came in from the bullpen.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Minter joined the Mets in the offseason on a two-year, $22 million contract with an opt-out, filling a void in a bullpen that lacked a high-leverage lefty for most of last season.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Either way, the days and games without Martinez in the bullpen will be a crucial stretch for the Diamondbacks.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Ragans continues to receive treatment and has a bullpen scheduled.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2025
The Cubs on Sunday sent down reliever Ethan Roberts and called up left-hander Tom Cosgrove to give the bullpen three lefties.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
Playing center field and shaded towards right, Bader raced to his right made a Byron Buxton-like diving catch of a 108-mph liner and slid onto the warning track in front of the bullpens.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2025
A number of qualities have led to the success of the bullpen, with velocity and pitch shapes being two of them.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
Royals reliever John Schreiber came in from the bullpen.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share