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.
The film, which shot at The Charterhouse in London and a private home in Kensington & Chelsea, follows the titular Dorothy (Margolyes), an elderly woman living alone who unexpectedly strikes up a friendship with young neighbor JJ (Nwachukwu) when his football lands in her garden. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025 No moment is too early for a new tight end to strike up a relationship with the star quarterback. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 The two met and struck up a relationship on the set of Garland’s Civil War, with Mendoza brought in to consult on and choreograph the film’s battle sequences. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025 The drama stars June Squibb as a 90-year-old woman from Florida who moves to New York City after the death of her best friend and strikes up an unlikely friendship with a 19-year-old. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025 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 30 Apr. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on strike up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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