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

Not the least of those is a bullpen that has descended into one of the last-reliable in baseball. —Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

But the bullpen, which had been one of the Trojans’ few weak points all season, couldn’t finish the job. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

The day before, the bullpen got used up pretty heavily. —Miami Herald, 8 June 2026

While the offense continues to come alive, the bullpen remains the shakiest unit on this team despite combining for five scoreless innings on Sunday. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 8 June 2026

Wrobleski, who returned to the starting rotation this season after making 22 of 24 appearances out of the bullpen in 2025, said starting pitchers tend to operate more independently than relief pitchers, but this season has been different. —Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 7 June 2026

They had just been swept by the Miami Marlins at home as the bullpen faltered and the offense failed to come through with runners in scoring position. —Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 7 June 2026

Sophomore left-hander Boone Russell got a rare starting nod for Parker after providing clutch relief work out of the bullpen throughout the season. —Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Right-hander Austin Warren gave up a two-run shot in the bottom of the frame to Freddy Fermin, and the San Diego bullpen, one of the best in baseball, kept the Mets (28-36) from tying. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 June 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