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.
Others might strike up a flirtation that is loosely related to owning a pet. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 May 2026 To strike up a conversation with someone that could lead to a friendship, ask a question that requires more than a one-word answer, Greenberg said. CNN Money, 6 May 2026 Epstein and Wade, who was born in Paris and studied at the Sorbonne, struck up a relationship that lasted several years and corresponded regularly, the records show. Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 Cowritten with veteran author Lin Oliver, Hawn's book follows three outlier elementary school students who strike up a friendship and decide to find a home for a rambunctious shelter dog. Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 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 14 May. 2026.

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

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