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.
Maxwell said women would be attracted to the profiles and strike up a conversation. Daryl Perry, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Oct. 2024 Loading your audio article BROOKLYN, N.Y. — While most of the Nuggets were asleep or otherwise keeping to themselves during a long flight to Toronto last weekend, Russell Westbrook wandered to the back of the team’s plane and struck up a conversation with head coach Michael Malone. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 30 Oct. 2024 The city is more than accustomed to tourists, and most locals were more than happy to strike up a conversation with visiting Swifties to offer food recommendations or share bits of the city’s history. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024 Combs was the night’s host and allegedly approached the singer, striking up a conversation about her career and offering to feature her on a track. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2024 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 21 Nov. 2024.

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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