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 warmups. 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

But this exhibitionistic Oedipus is the star of the show’s unnecessary preface, a belabored warmup act that should have been cut in rehearsals.

From Los Angeles Times

But in 2017, her senior year as a broadcast major at Chapman University, she volunteered to be a warmup act for comedian Nicole Byer.

From Los Angeles Times

As he stepped off a team bus Wednesday afternoon in Costa Mesa amid the warmest day of training camp, the temperature reaching 82 degrees before warmup stretches, Key Lawrence did not appear to feel any sort of heat, literal or figurative.

From Los Angeles Times

The six reporters on hand Wednesday were barred from taking photos or videos of even the warmup periods.

From Los Angeles Times

But that test patch was just the warmup act.

From Los Angeles Times