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 Philadelphia Phillies were already short in the bullpen after Jordan Romano struggled at the start of the season. —Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025

The Bombers’ bullpen, meanwhile, ranked sixth in ERA (3.29), fifth in fWAR (2.4) and third in K% (26.6). —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025

Last year, at the outset of his pitching rehab, Ohtani progressed from simple catch play to regular bullpens by the end of the regular season. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025

The Red Sox will most likely instead need to call up a spot starter or attempt a bullpen game. —Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025

His second home run of the day soared high and deep into the inky sky, and sent right-fielder Dylan Carlson and center-fielder Jorge Mateo racing toward the Boston bullpen. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025

Miller was just called up to provide length out of the bullpen if needed. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 24 May 2025

The top arms in the bullpen, led by fireman Lucas Erceg and closer Carlos Estevez, remain available for KC, while KC also weathers injuries at the top of the rotation. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025

Because the Padres haven’t won, the back of the bullpen hasn’t been used much of late, but LHP Wandy Peralta has four strikeouts over 3⅓ scoreless innings and RHP Sean Reynolds has six strikeouts over 5⅓ scoreless innings. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bullpen

• again
• airmen
• amen
• culmen
• flagmen
• gunmen
• lawmen
• oilmen
• playpen
• schoolmen
• tegmen
• ben

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