warmup

or warm-up

[ wawrm-uhp ]

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 warm·ups. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of warmup¹

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

Unified board member Rocio Rivas was there, along with Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who wore a warmup jacket done up like the flag of the Philippines.

From Los Angeles Times

Nickel Creek played an intimate warmup show at Largo at the Coronet for a lucky crowd Wednesday that piled into the L.A. theater for a night of skillful, spellbinding folk music.

From Los Angeles Times

“He doesn’t ever look or say or feel like he’s tired. Every day is the same. He does his rehab. He does his warmup, his workout, he hits, he does his stuff, steals bases, hits homers and the next day is the exact same. I just appreciate consistency. I appreciate an attention to detail and a diligence. He does that. He does that really, really well, better than most.”

From Los Angeles Times

According to Roberts, Glasnow informed the team he still was feeling “discomfort” in his arm after roughly 20 warmup pitches, scuttling any plans of his highly anticipated live session.

From Los Angeles Times

There is no warmup week this season for a new staff to work out any kinks in its new scheme.

From Los Angeles Times