noun
bullpen
noun
1
In baseball, the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering the game, or the group of relief pitchers on a team.
"The manager called down to the bullpen for a fresh pitcher."
"Their bullpen has been shaky all season."
2
An open-plan area where a team works closely together, or a holding area for people or animals awaiting something.
"The new hires were seated in the bullpen near the sales team."
How to Use Bullpen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe warm-up area for relief pitchers in baseball, or more generally an open shared workspace.
Common pairings
call the bullpen
a deep bullpen
the bullpen coach
Word Forms
bullpens plural
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The manager called down to the _____ for a fresh pitcher.
Etymology
Originally an enclosure for holding bulls; the baseball sense borrows the image of penned-in animals waiting to be let loose.