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

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

With this in mind, specifically the two key relief pitchers entering free agency, the Phillies could use a few bullpen arms this offseason. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024

Yet the right-hander would make sense for a team looking to bolster the back end of its bullpen without blocking Bautista from earning his job back. —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Having a dominant bullpen could mitigate a dearth of great starting pitching. —Sam Blum, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

This optimism led the Club to move Bristol Myers from the bullpen into the portfolio on Monday. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2024

The team has question marks at first base, second base, in both corner outfield spots and in the bullpen. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Nov. 2024

Advertisement Veteran pitchers in the bullpen who remain under contract for next year include: Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Williams has been a staple in the Milwaukee bullpen for the last few years, but he's been notorious for collapsing in the postseason. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 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