bull pen

Or bullpen

noun

1. Baseball.

   1. a place where relief pitchers warm up during a game.

   2. the relief pitchers on a team.

2. Informal.

   1. a large cell or room, usually next to the courtroom, where prisoners are temporarily held.

   2. a large room in an office occupied by many employees.

3. any temporary or crowded quarters, as sleeping quarters in a lumber camp.

4. a pen for a bull or bulls.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bull pen¹

1800–10, bull pen for def. 4; 1920–25 bull pen for def. 1