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.
Feel free to strike up conversation. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026 The messages appeared to indicate that Harry struck up a friendship with Griffiths, the Mail on Sunday’s former diary editor. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026 In 2015, the artist Yto Barrada struck up a friendship with Bettina. Katherine Rochester, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026 Nattie takes a job as a janitor at the hospital and finds a refuge in the library, striking up a friendship with the lonely librarian. Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 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 13 Apr. 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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster