warmup
or warm-up
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.
the period before a radio or television broadcast when the audience is entertained so that it will be more receptive to the actual program.
Also warm up . the time lapse between turning on the power in an electronic component or device and the time it is operable.
Often warm·ups. any apparel, especially a sweat suit, worn over other clothing for warmth, chiefly in sports or during preliminary exercise.
to prepare for a game, sports contest, dance, etc., by moderate exercise or practice beforehand.
to entertain (an audience) prior to a broadcast to increase receptiveness.
to increase in excitement, intensity, violence, etc.: The racial situation was warming up.
to become friendlier or more receptive: No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't warm up to that proposal.
Origin of warmup
1Words Nearby warmup
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use warmup in a sentence
So it was interesting to see how I’m going to feel through the morning skate, from warmup before the game and in the game overall.
Alex Ovechkin returns, scores overtime winner as Capitals beat Bruins, 4-3 | Samantha Pell | January 31, 2021 | Washington PostRather than hustling up and down the court like usual late in the game, the all-star guard took in the final minutes of the victory from in front of the Wizards’ bench at Capital One Arena, his warmup shirt on and his night all wrapped up.
Minus Russell Westbrook and Thomas Bryant, Bradley Beal powers Wizards past Suns | Ava Wallace | January 12, 2021 | Washington PostAs soon as you start the warmup, the bike feels rock solid—after all, it’s built for studios and needs to hold up to multiple sweat sessions per day.
NordicTrack’s connected workout bike puts the focus on competing against yourself | Stan Horaczek | October 15, 2020 | Popular-ScienceYou don’t want to leap into anything your body’s not prepared for, though, even if it’s a warmup.
There’s a better way to warm up than stretching | John Kennedy | September 30, 2020 | Popular-ScienceIt’s always a good idea to do a quick warmup, especially if you’re coming right out of a desk chair.
Time-Crunched? Try This Effective 10-Minute Workout | Hayden Carpenter | September 29, 2020 | Outside Online
The first concert had been headlined by Thin Lizzy, with a then-little-known band named U2 as the warmup act.
Eminem Rocks Ireland: Slane Castle’s Latest Legendary Performer | Michael Daly | August 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTEastwood, who was supposed to be the warmup act for Marco Rubio introducing Romney, wound up with marquee billing.
“The vice president and I are the warmup acts today,” the president joked.
Apparently that topless shot in Vanity Fair a couple years ago was just a warmup.
This was the warmup for the original Compassionate Conservative—the one who campaigned as a different kind of Republican.
British Dictionary definitions for warm up
to make or become warm or warmer
(intr) to exercise in preparation for and immediately before a game, contest, or more vigorous exercise
to get ready for something important; prepare
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
to make or become more animated or enthusiastic: the party warmed up when Tom came
to reheat (already cooked food) or (of such food) to be reheated
(tr) to make (an audience) relaxed and receptive before a show, esp a television comedy show
the act or an instance of warming up
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
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.
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