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 addition of shutdown closer Jhoan Duran has turned their bullpen from a weakness into a roster strength.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The Astros’ rotation also has been devastated by injuries, and their bullpen still is without closer Josh Hader and a couple of go-to middle-inning relievers.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The bullpen kept the Royals in the game.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Along with the offense, the Giants’ bullpen continues enjoying collective success even with a vastly different personnel, one that does not feature Randy Rodríguez, Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers or Erik Miller.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
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Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The Astros’ rotation also has been devastated by injuries, and their bullpen still is without closer Josh Hader and a couple of go-to middle-inning relievers.
—Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The bullpen kept the Royals in the game.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Along with the offense, the Giants’ bullpen continues enjoying collective success even with a vastly different personnel, one that does not feature Randy Rodríguez, Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers or Erik Miller.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bullpen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullpen. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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