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
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
Robinson Piña was added to the 40-man roster from Triple A Jacksonville, giving the Marlins another arm in the bullpen, McCullough said.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Gray still has several more bullpen sessions to throw before he is scheduled to face hitters.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2025
With the Dodgers’ relievers worn out from back-to-back bullpen games the previous two nights, Wrobleski went back to the mound in the ninth and gave up two runs after a Muncy throwing error put him in a jam.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Detmers’ velocity has gradually increased throughout his time in the bullpen this season.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
The 31-year-old, who had already thrown three bullpen sessions, simulated a four-out appearance over two innings while throwing upwards of 20 pitches.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
The Sox transferred him to the 60-day IL on June 8.
Cannon, who has been on the IL since June 3 with a lower back strain, threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Rate Field.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
In the aftermath of their loss to Arizona, former Brave (and potential future Hall of Famer) Craig Kimbrell was called up from Triple-A to (hopefully) improve the bullpen, which currently has a 3.90 ERA and has converted only 10 of 21 save opportunities.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
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Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Robinson Piña was added to the 40-man roster from Triple A Jacksonville, giving the Marlins another arm in the bullpen, McCullough said.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Gray still has several more bullpen sessions to throw before he is scheduled to face hitters.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2025
With the Dodgers’ relievers worn out from back-to-back bullpen games the previous two nights, Wrobleski went back to the mound in the ninth and gave up two runs after a Muncy throwing error put him in a jam.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Detmers’ velocity has gradually increased throughout his time in the bullpen this season.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
The 31-year-old, who had already thrown three bullpen sessions, simulated a four-out appearance over two innings while throwing upwards of 20 pitches.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
The Sox transferred him to the 60-day IL on June 8.
Cannon, who has been on the IL since June 3 with a lower back strain, threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Rate Field.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
In the aftermath of their loss to Arizona, former Brave (and potential future Hall of Famer) Craig Kimbrell was called up from Triple-A to (hopefully) improve the bullpen, which currently has a 3.90 ERA and has converted only 10 of 21 save opportunities.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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