warmup

or warm-up

[ wawrm-uhp ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
the period before a radio or television broadcast when the audience is entertained so that it will be more receptive to the actual program.
Also warm up. the time lapse between turning on the power in an electronic component or device and the time it is operable.
Often warm·ups. any apparel, especially a sweat suit, worn over other clothing for warmth, chiefly in sports or during preliminary exercise.

verb phrase

to prepare for a game, sports contest, dance, etc., by moderate exercise or practice beforehand.
to entertain (an audience) prior to a broadcast to increase receptiveness.
to increase in excitement, intensity, violence, etc.:
The racial situation was warming up.
to become friendlier or more receptive:
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't warm up to that proposal.

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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

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Example Sentences

The first concert had been headlined by Thin Lizzy, with a then-little-known band named U2 as the warmup act.

From The Daily Beast

Eastwood, who was supposed to be the warmup act for Marco Rubio introducing Romney, wound up with marquee billing.

From The Daily Beast

“The vice president and I are the warmup acts today,” the president joked.

From The Daily Beast

Apparently that topless shot in Vanity Fair a couple years ago was just a warmup.

From The Daily Beast

This was the warmup for the original Compassionate Conservative—the one who campaigned as a different kind of Republican.

From The Daily Beast

warm tone warm welcome

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