bull pen

or bullpen

noun

1. Baseball.
   1. a place where relief pitchers warm up during a game.
   2. the relief pitchers on a team.
2. Informal.
   1. a large cell or room, usually next to the courtroom, where prisoners are temporarily held.
   2. a large room in an office occupied by many employees.
3. any temporary or crowded quarters, as sleeping quarters in a lumber camp.
4. a pen for a bull or bulls.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bull pen¹

1800–10, Americanism bull pen fordef 4; 1920–25 bull pen fordef 1

Example Sentences

The company had gathered about the bull-pen, pressing closely against the barrier, that they might lose no part of the show.

From Project Gutenberg

Unlock him at seven in the morning, and let him come to the bull-pen.

From Project Gutenberg

His imagination travelled on beyond the bull-pen, to the shabby dance-halls along the river.

From Project Gutenberg

Wesley Everest was taken to the city jail and thrown without ceremony upon the cement floor of the "bull pen."

From Project Gutenberg

"We can't stand another campaign," said a rebel deserter at the bull pen.

From Project Gutenberg