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

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

This was more exciting that any call to the bullpen. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024

The bullpen finished eighth among playoff teams with a 4.12 regular-season ERA. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2024

From there, both team's bullpens kept the bats at bay until Shohei Ohtani came up with a booming one-out double in the eighth inning. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2024

Scott would fortify the backend of New York's bullpen. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Since removing Flaherty in the second, Roberts had managed his bullpen ruthlessly. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

The bullpen games were probably the most challenging. —Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

The Diamondbacks signed Montgomery to be a starter, of course, and a bullpen spot seems a last resort. —Jack Magruder, Forbes, 1 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