strike up

verb

struck up; struck up also stricken up; striking up; strikes up

intransitive verb

: to begin to sing or play or to be sung or played

transitive verb

1
: to cause to begin singing or playing
strike up the band
2
: to cause to begin
strike up a conversation

Examples of strike up 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.
Upon arriving in Puerto Rico – my first time – my rideshare driver Javier Rosado struck up a conversation with me about my first impression of the island. Sofía Hanalei Sanchez, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025 The two struck up a friendship that lasted for the rest of Ali’s life. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025 The nuclear bombers that flew to Poland around close to their airspace, and then these strikes up in the Arctic. ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025 The rangers poked around camp with flashlights, striking up conversations with people still awake, and left. Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strike up

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of strike up was circa 1562

Cite this Entry

“Strike up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strike%20up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

strike up

verb
1
: to begin or cause to begin to sing or play
strike up the band
2
: to cause to begin
strike up a conversation

More from Merriam-Webster on strike up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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