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
In the aftermath of their loss to Arizona, former Brave (and potential future Hall of Famer) Craig Kimbrell was called up from Triple-A to (hopefully) improve the bullpen, which currently has a 3.90 ERA and has converted only 10 of 21 save opportunities.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
His return is a part of A’s manager Mark Kotsay’s attempts to fix the bullpen, which was a major cause of the losing streak.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
More Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images Stratton signed a major league deal with the Dodgers on May 25 as the team was looking for bullpen help amid their rash of injuries.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Kyle Harrison, who is currently replacing Verlander in the rotation, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday after being diagnosed with a left elbow contusion due to being struck by a ground ball in his last start.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Landon Knack surrendered three homers and recorded just 10 outs the day before a potential bullpen day.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 June 2025
After Glasnow had thrown one bullpen session a week and a half earlier, a bout of back tightness had kept him from throwing off a mound again since.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies were already short in the bullpen after Jordan Romano struggled at the start of the season.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
The Bombers’ bullpen, meanwhile, ranked sixth in ERA (3.29), fifth in fWAR (2.4) and third in K% (26.6).
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
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Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
His return is a part of A’s manager Mark Kotsay’s attempts to fix the bullpen, which was a major cause of the losing streak.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
More Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images Stratton signed a major league deal with the Dodgers on May 25 as the team was looking for bullpen help amid their rash of injuries.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Kyle Harrison, who is currently replacing Verlander in the rotation, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday after being diagnosed with a left elbow contusion due to being struck by a ground ball in his last start.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Landon Knack surrendered three homers and recorded just 10 outs the day before a potential bullpen day.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 June 2025
After Glasnow had thrown one bullpen session a week and a half earlier, a bout of back tightness had kept him from throwing off a mound again since.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies were already short in the bullpen after Jordan Romano struggled at the start of the season.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
The Bombers’ bullpen, meanwhile, ranked sixth in ERA (3.29), fifth in fWAR (2.4) and third in K% (26.6).
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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