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

2

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

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

3

: 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

Examples of bullpen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Marcus Stroman reported to camp later than other pitchers and stated his refusal to pitch out of the bullpen. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

With the six-man rotation no longer in play for Opening Day the Red Sox have three bullpen jobs up for grabs, and there are probably seven or eight guys with a plausible path for a spot. —Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025

He will be followed out of the bullpen by Brennan Bernardino, Liam Hendriks, Zack Kelly, Greg Weissert, Isaiah Campbell, Austin Adams and Wyatt Mills. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 1 Mar. 2025

Melvin also assessed that Harrison’s velocity was better against the Brewers compared to his bullpen sessions. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025

Harvey is expected to be a high-leverage reliever in the bullpen. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025

Because of all those pitching injuries, the Dodgers were forced into a bullpen game with their season on the line in their Division Series against the Padres, down two games to one. —Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025

Listen to this article GLENDALE, Ariz. — Noah Schultz made the journey from the bullpen to the mound for the top of the fifth inning Wednesday against the San Diego Padres. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025

Phillips was the type of scrap-heap bullpen success story the Dodgers have excelled with. —Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bullpen

• again
• airmen
• amen
• culmen
• flagmen
• gunmen
• lawmen
• oilmen
• playpen
• schoolmen
• tegmen
• ben

Kids Definition

bull pen

noun

1

: a large cell where prisoners are held until brought into court

2

a

: a place on a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up

b

: the relief pitchers of a team