bullpen

noun

bull·​pen ˈbu̇l-ˌpen How to pronounce bullpen (audio)
 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Jays’ bullpen allowed only two runs in five innings in Game 1, but is hardly intimidating. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 The New York Yankees have to make adjustments to their roster this offseason after losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS, and the bullpen may be the perfect place to start. Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 That has left little for the Dodgers’ troublesome bullpen to do – only 27⅔ innings in 10 games. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025 In the Blue Jays’ 11 playoff games thus far, Varland has been called upon 10 times, the most used reliever out of the Jays’ bullpen. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bullpen was in 1809

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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