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 also need to address their bullpen and add more than one player to their offense, would hesitate to meet such a price. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Michael King grinded through five innings before a weary bullpen lost two leads, including a three-run advantage in the 10th inning, in a 7-6 loss Friday. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026

The longer the starters can go, the less manager Craig Counsell has to rely on a patchwork bullpen. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Once again the bullpen took care of business and closed things out. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 July 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