warmup

or warm-up

[ wawrm-uhp ]

noun
  1. an act or instance of warming up: The spectators came early to watch the players go through their warmups.The dancers went through a quick warmup.

  2. the period before a radio or television broadcast when the audience is entertained so that it will be more receptive to the actual program.

  1. Also warm up . the time lapse between turning on the power in an electronic component or device and the time it is operable.

  2. Often warm·ups. any apparel, especially a sweat suit, worn over other clothing for warmth, chiefly in sports or during preliminary exercise.

verb phrasewarm up
  1. to prepare for a game, sports contest, dance, etc., by moderate exercise or practice beforehand.

  2. to entertain (an audience) prior to a broadcast to increase receptiveness.

  1. to increase in excitement, intensity, violence, etc.: The racial situation was warming up.

  2. to become friendlier or more receptive: No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't warm up to that proposal.

Origin of warmup

1
First recorded in 1840–50; warm (in the verb sense “to make warm, heat”) + up (adverb used as a function word); the noun is derived from the verb phrase

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use warmup in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for warm up

warm up

verb(adverb)
  1. to make or become warm or warmer

  2. (intr) to exercise in preparation for and immediately before a game, contest, or more vigorous exercise

  1. to get ready for something important; prepare

  2. to run or operate (an engine, etc) until the normal working temperature or condition is attained, or (of an engine, etc) to undergo this process

  3. to make or become more animated or enthusiastic: the party warmed up when Tom came

  4. to reheat (already cooked food) or (of such food) to be reheated

  5. (tr) to make (an audience) relaxed and receptive before a show, esp a television comedy show

nounwarm-up
  1. the act or an instance of warming up

  2. a preparatory exercise routine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with warmup

warmup

Prepare for exercise or an athletic event by stretching or practicing beforehand, as in It's important to warm up before you play any sport. The idiom is also applied to musicians getting ready to perform. [Late 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.