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.
The two met in 2011 when Elliott was a production assistant in New York City on an Adult Swim series Cort made an appearance on as an actor and struck up a friendship. Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 Liza would babysit Ron, and the two struck up a friendship. Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026 Owl hoots are most effective at striking up turkeys when owls are naturally active, which is around dawn and dusk. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026 Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from a cloud before and after rain begins. Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 10 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 27 Mar. 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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