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

Since signing a two-year, $62 million free-agent deal on March 19, Snell has made only three starts for the Giants, going 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA before straining the adductor muscle in his left groin during a bullpen session earlier this month. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024

Darvish saved the bullpen and, a night after a rocky bullpen run, Wandy Peralta got the ball to closer Robert Suarez. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024

The bullpen limited the damage from there, extending a franchise-record streak of 19 games giving up four runs or fewer. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024

The Bearcats’ bullpen rose to the occasion, containing the Panther offense the rest of the way. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2024

The blast traveled into the Brewers’ bullpen and flipped the game. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024

Miller threw a bullpen session on Monday and also could go on a rehab assignment soon. —Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register, 7 May 2024

Despite losing late-inning relievers Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly to injuries in a span of two days, the Dodgers’ bullpen held the Marlins scoreless over the last five innings. —Miami Herald, 7 May 2024

Advertisement Dodgers The Dodgers bullpen was turning a corner. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 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