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

Finally, after weeks of uncertainty, a clear favorite appears to have emerged in the A’s bullpen. —Andy Behrens, New York Times, 4 May 2026

Time to trade guys nearly everyone of value in the bullpen. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

Tampa Bay's bullpen combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings to close it out. —CBS News, 3 May 2026

While the group has 13 instances of holding opponents to one earned run or fewer — including five when asked to cover at least three innings — the bullpen also has given up five runs or more in seven of 24 league games. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026

The Cubs’ opening-day starter exited with a four-run lead and turned the ball over to the bullpen, who welcomed back closer Daniel Palencia before the game. —Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026

Lost amid the narrative about how the Angels’ bullpen has cost them so much lately is the fact that the offense hasn’t done much either. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 3 May 2026

Abel threw his first bullpen on Saturday and is expected to throw another one shortly. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 3 May 2026

The Royals’ bullpen got the game to extra innings. —Kansas City Star, 3 May 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