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

Asked recently about under-the-radar internal options for the Yankees’ 2025 bullpen, manager Aaron Boone specifically named Beeter. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024

From his playing days, Posey remembers his Giants won with great starting pitching and a formidable bullpen juggled well by manager Bruce Bochy. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 22 Dec. 2024

The recent acquisition of right-handed pitcher Fernando Cruz along with catcher Alex Jackson from the Cincinnati Reds for catcher Jose Trevino strengthens the ball club’s bullpen. —Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Avoiding the same fate as last year requires pitching depth, particularly in the bullpen. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Most of the top-tier bullpen free agents — Jeff Hoffman, Tanner Scott, Carlos Estévez and Kirby Yates — are still available. —Matt Gelb, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live alum Beck Bennett appears walking through the Daily Planet bullpen as sports reporter Steve Lombard, who also debuted in Wednesday's teaser for the teaser. —Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

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

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