bullpen
Britishnoun
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informal a large cell where prisoners are confined together temporarily
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baseball a part of a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up
Explanation
The bullpen is the small area on a baseball field where pitchers warm up, throwing practice pitches to a catcher. The bullpen is often situated in the foul zone along the side of the field. In a professional baseball game, there is always at least one relief pitcher getting ready to replace the starting pitcher. These backup pitchers practice in the bullpen, keeping their throwing arms warmed up and ready. Sometimes the people inside the bullpen are also referred to as "the bullpen." Additionally, people who are confined together in a prison or cell are often said to be in a bullpen.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Once paid like superstars and considered to be essential pieces of the bullpen, ninth-inning specialists are being replaced.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
That was the song that would blast over the Yankee Stadium sound system whenever Mariano Rivera emerged from the bullpen to put his opponents to sleep.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Last season, one ran into the outfield and climbed into the team’s bullpen, where it reportedly hung out with the Detroit relievers for the rest of the game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers stormed to the World Series last season with a bullpen that could generously be described as shaky.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Gionfriddo, charging from left field to the edge of the bullpen, reached behind the fence and robbed DiMaggio of his sure home run and a tied game.
From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
