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
The Yankees’ bullpen was short-handed after closer David Bednar threw 33 pitches in Saturday night’s 9-7 win, leaving him unavailable for Sunday’s game.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Rockies’ bullpen, as a whole, continued its solid start to the season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
His 3 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to finish Game 1 of the 1978 ALCS at a point the Yankees were strapped for pitching coming out of the playoff game in Boston.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
The Angels’ bullpen had been one of the best in baseball in the early part of the season.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Avila, stretched out as a starter now, still has a chance to stick around with injuries in the bullpen.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
The Phillies' bullpen preserved the lead late.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Phillies’ bullpen preserved the lead late.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Offensively, the Cubs didn’t do much against Guardians starter Joey Cantillo, armed with a wicked changeup, and the Cleveland bullpen.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
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Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Rockies’ bullpen, as a whole, continued its solid start to the season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
His 3 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to finish Game 1 of the 1978 ALCS at a point the Yankees were strapped for pitching coming out of the playoff game in Boston.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
The Angels’ bullpen had been one of the best in baseball in the early part of the season.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Avila, stretched out as a starter now, still has a chance to stick around with injuries in the bullpen.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
The Phillies' bullpen preserved the lead late.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Phillies’ bullpen preserved the lead late.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Offensively, the Cubs didn’t do much against Guardians starter Joey Cantillo, armed with a wicked changeup, and the Cleveland bullpen.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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