warm-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯrm-ˌəp 

variants or less commonly warmup

1

: the act or an instance of warming up

also : a preparatory activity or procedure

2

: a suit for exercise or casual wear consisting of a jacket or sweatshirt and pants

—often used in plural

called also warm-up suit

warm up

2 of 2

verb

warmed up; warming up; warms up

intransitive verb

: to engage in exercise or practice especially before entering a game or contest

broadly : to get ready

Synonyms

Noun

• curtain-raiser
• overture
• preamble
• preliminary
• prelude
• prologue
• prolog

Examples of warm-up in a Sentence

Noun

the couple's initial exchange of insults proved to be only a warm-up for their booze-fueled fight later that night

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Despite a strong start full of neat new ideas and a killer final stretch, the fourth Gears of War feels like a warm-up of sorts overall, and that also applies to its multiplayer offering. 5. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2024

By Friday, temperatures will rise further, nearly reaching the mid-40s, though there’s a 30% chance of rain across southeast Michigan after 1 p.m. The real warm-up arrives Saturday when highs could be near 52 degrees. —Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 24 Dec. 2024

Verb

Mascara or liquid eyeliner: Three months Liquid lip products or foundation: One year Powdered foundation, blush, or eyeshadow: Two years Lipstick: Two years Pencil eyeliner: Two years Seasonal Clothing As the weather warms up (or cools down), set an afternoon aside for a quick closet declutter. —Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024

Here's a pro tip: Just before setting out your glorious guacamole board, warm up your tortilla chips. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

warm-up

noun

ˈwȯr-ˌməp

1

: the act or an instance of warming up

2

: a practice or set of exercises done before a game, contest, or workout

Medical Definition

warm-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈwȯr-ˌməp 

: the act or an instance of warming up

also : a procedure (as a set of exercises) used in warming up

warm up

2 of 2 intransitive verb

(ˈ)wȯr-ˈməp 

: to engage in preliminary exercise (as to stretch the muscles)

important to warm up properly before running