Definition

A designated area where relief pitchers warm up during a baseball game, or a space in an office with shared workspaces for employees.

Example

The coach called for a pitcher from the bullpen to warm up before the next inning.

Conversation

Did you see how the pitchers warmed up in the bullpen before the game?

Yeah, it’s always interesting to watch them get ready.

I think the bullpen is such a crucial part of the team’s strategy.

Absolutely! Those guys can really change the outcome of the game.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bullpen → The word is formed from "bull" (from Old English "bula", meaning a male bovine) and "pen" (from Old English "penn", meaning an enclosure). The term "bullpen" originally referred to an enclosure for bulls, and in modern usage, it describes a designated area for relief pitchers in baseball.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bull' being kept in an 'enclosure' — that's how you can remember that a bullpen is a place where pitchers are kept ready to play.

Visually Confused Words