strike up

verb

struck up; struck up also stricken up; striking up; strikes up

intransitive verb

: to begin to sing or play or to be sung or played

transitive verb

1
: to cause to begin singing or playing
strike up the band
2
: to cause to begin
strike up a conversation

Examples of strike up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The group of medical professionals struck up a conversation and started talking about the security risk of leaving a CAC unattended in a computer. James Laporta, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025 On the daily bus ride to Harvard-Westlake, 20 miles to the west, Justin struck up a friendship with another Black student, a baseball player. Billy Witz, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 In 2000, Eisen struck up a 50-50 partnership with Sportswear Co. SpA, the Italian firm behind the C.P. Company and Stone Island labels, to produce and distribute the Mark Eisen Collection. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025 And, more interestingly, while the old lady can see through M’s devices, the pair manage to strike up a happy and honest cross-generational relationship. Patrick Frater, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for strike up 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of strike up was circa 1562

Cite this Entry

“Strike up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strike%20up. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

strike up

verb
1
: to begin or cause to begin to sing or play
strike up the band
2
: to cause to begin
strike up a conversation

More from Merriam-Webster on strike up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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