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.
Epstein and Wade, who was born in Paris and studied at the Sorbonne, struck up a relationship that lasted several years and corresponded regularly, the records show. Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 Cowritten with veteran author Lin Oliver, Hawn's book follows three outlier elementary school students who strike up a friendship and decide to find a home for a rambunctious shelter dog. Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 With Verity essentially bed-ridden, her husband Jeremy strikes up a romance with Lowen. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026 Asking for directions or striking up a conversation with locals is genuinely easy. Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026 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 6 May. 2026.

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

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