Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

warmup

American  
[wawrm-uhp] / ˈwɔrmˌʌp /
Or warm-up

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.

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

  4. Often warmups. any apparel, especially a sweat suit, worn over other clothing for warmth, chiefly in sports or during preliminary exercise.


verb phrase

  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.

  3. to increase in excitement, intensity, violence, etc..

    The racial situation was warming up.

  4. to become friendlier or more receptive.

    No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't warm up to that proposal.

Etymology

Origin of warmup

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

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.

LeBron James onto the court for his pregame warmup.

From Los Angeles Times

For not hitting any half-court shots during his pregame warmup, Doncic had to drop to the court and give his coaching staff push-ups.

From Los Angeles Times

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had hollered a similar message in a warmup speech to the senior officers.

From Slate

But this was all just the warmup.

From Slate

So much so that he’s doing two back-to-back arena shows in Denver before the awards show just as a warmup.

From Los Angeles Times