bullpen

noun

bull·​pen ˈbu̇l-ˌpen 

 also  ˈbəl-

variants or less commonly bull pen

plural bullpens also bull pens

1

: a large cell where prisoners are detained until brought into court

Commonly called the "bullpen," the court lockup is behind the courtroom and is used as a holding area for prisoners …

—Bruce A. Scruton

2

a

: a place on a baseball field where pitchers warm up before they start pitching

In the bullpen, Goose Gossage is warming up.

—Tony Scherman

b

: the relief pitchers of a baseball team

After five innings Seattle led 14-2 and, with baseball's best bullpen waiting to protect the lead should starter Aaron Sele falter …

—Sports Illustrated

3

: an open work area not divided into offices

… an alternative to the traditional combination of private offices for the brass and bullpens for the workers.

—Carl Ruff

Examples of bullpen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Stroman pitched to a 5.88 ERA over his final 16 appearances, including 15 starts, and was moved to the Yankees’ bullpen in September. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 Dec. 2024

While New York could still add a little bit more pitching to the bullpen, the major holes are still in the lineup. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

The Rangers, the only team without certainty about their local TV rights for next season, also traded three prospects to the Miami Marlins for four years of infielder Jake Burger, and still figure to do more work in their bullpen, according to sources briefed on their plans. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024

In the bullpen, the Dodgers have targeted top free-agent reliever Tanner Scott as well as top trade candidate Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers, as the Athletic first reported. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

Draped in flowy silk capes and adorned with rattling, chunky gold, and silver rings, Denzel Washington embodies the flashiest villain and the colosseum’s bullpen organizer, Macrinus. —Malik Peay, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024

Just how motivated the Orioles are to make bullpen upgrades in free agency is one of the biggest question marks of their offseason. —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

The best way to do that is by improving the offense and solidifying their bullpen. —Jared Wyllys, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

The Boyd deal leaves the Cubs only about $18 million short of their Opening Day payroll in 2024, with the team needing to address needs in the bullpen and at catcher. —Phil Rogers, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bull pen

noun

1

: a large cell where prisoners are held until brought into court

2

a

: a place on a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up

b

: the relief pitchers of a team