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
Bruce A. Scruton2
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
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
Sports Illustrated3
: 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
Carl RuffExamples of bullpen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Second, Los Angeles’ bullpen had not been scored upon in 11 straight games and had fired 38 consecutive scoreless innings, the longest streak by the Dodgers in the modern era (since 1901).
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
The homer ended the bullpen’s franchise record of 38 consecutive scoreless innings set Sunday.
—Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Their beleaguered bullpen has started to turn it around.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The Twins were held scoreless after that by White Sox (26-28) southpaw Anthony Kay, who threw six innings in his start, and the bullpen.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 25 May 2026
The Angels didn’t strike out once in 23 plate appearances against the Rangers’ bullpen.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 May 2026
The Marlins have moved Phillips, who has primarily been a long reliever out of the bullpen this season, into the starting rotation.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
But perhaps a move to the bullpen could help his performance and a team that is struggling to earn wins.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
This prompted Royals manager Matt Quatraro to turn to his bullpen — Daniel Lynch IV, John Schreiber and Lucas Erceg nailed down the victory.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
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Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
The homer ended the bullpen’s franchise record of 38 consecutive scoreless innings set Sunday.
—Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Their beleaguered bullpen has started to turn it around.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The Twins were held scoreless after that by White Sox (26-28) southpaw Anthony Kay, who threw six innings in his start, and the bullpen.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 25 May 2026
The Angels didn’t strike out once in 23 plate appearances against the Rangers’ bullpen.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 May 2026
The Marlins have moved Phillips, who has primarily been a long reliever out of the bullpen this season, into the starting rotation.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
But perhaps a move to the bullpen could help his performance and a team that is struggling to earn wins.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
This prompted Royals manager Matt Quatraro to turn to his bullpen — Daniel Lynch IV, John Schreiber and Lucas Erceg nailed down the victory.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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