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.
Try striking up a conversation with the artsy locals that frequent this cafe, or grab a book from Tombolo books next door to enjoy with your latte. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026 Yeah, strike up a conversation. Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026 Read the room before striking up a convo. Jenny McCoy, Outside, 2 Jan. 2026 In Season 3 of The White Lotus, which recently earned Goggins his first Golden Globe nomination, his troubled traveler Rick reluctantly has dinner with Gries’ Gary after their significant others Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) strike up a friendship. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on strike up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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