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.
Then, a couple years ago, Khalil struck up a conversation with a visitor. Steve Hartman, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2025 That same OpenTable survey found that 27% of diners would invite others to their table and 22% would strike up conversations with staff or other patrons. Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025 The competition may be fierce, but some rival artists manage to strike up friendships—and even kindle romances—amid all the snow. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025 Baldwin, meanwhile, strikes up a close friendship with Kendall Jenner, who also happens to be friends with Bieber, and the three are spotted at the Hillsong Church in NYC that November. Stacey Leasca, Glamour, 21 Jan. 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 8 Feb. 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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