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

Both will get a chance to impact the bullpen. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026

And the team signed closer Pete Fairbanks to beef up the back end of a bullpen that was relied upon a lot last season (Miami’s 631 1/3 innings pitched by relievers were the fifth-most in MLB). —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026

The Angels also have two relievers who are out of options, seemingly giving them a strong shot at breaking camp in the bullpen. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026

And one that figures to have a night-in, night-out chance with stellar starting pitchers, including Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Noah Cameron, and an exceptional back end of the bullpen fastened down with Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg. —Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026

Who is doing what in the bullpen? —Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026

However, the bench and — to a greater extent — the bullpen remain unsettled. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Feb. 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