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

In the eighth inning, the Royals turned to their bullpen. —Kansas City Star, 23 June 2026

The promotion of Krook and the designation of Barlow marked the latest attempt by the A’s to restructure a struggling pitching staff, particularly the bullpen. —Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2026

While much of the attention has gone to stars like Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jhoan Duran, the organization has also cycled through dozens of relievers and depth arms in an effort to maintain reliable bullpens in recent seasons. —Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

With two out and one on, the Mets went to the bullpen for left-hander Cionel Perez. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026

The Sox bullpen didn’t perform any better on Sunday, blowing leads in the ninth and 10th innings of a 5-4 loss to get swept in Detroit and finish 1-5 on the road trip. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

That loaded the bases and brought Jordan Hicks out of the Chicago bullpen. —CBS News, 21 June 2026

Houser has plenty of experience as a reliever, having made 48 appearances out of the bullpen in his major league career. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 June 2026

Machado lined a 2-0 sinker into the left field seats near the San Diego bullpen. —ABC News, 20 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