strike up

verb

struck up; struck up also stricken up; striking up; strikes up

intransitive verb

: to begin to sing or play or to be sung or played

transitive verb

1
: to cause to begin singing or playing
strike up the band
2
: to cause to begin
strike up a conversation

Examples of strike up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gallagher and Cameron originally met while filming Season Nine of the show, striking up a romance while working on the deck team together. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 Their characters — mob boss Sonny Corinthos and Brenda Barrett, respectively — struck up a legendary on-and-off romance that lasted for years, before ultimately going their separate ways in 2011. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 Jacksons has also struck up a pair of NIL deals with Bates and junior running back Dylan Riley that will offer benefits to fans. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026 Not long thereafter he was struck up to 11 times while napping. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strike up

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of strike up was circa 1562

Rhymes for strike up

See All Rhymes for strike up

Browse Nearby Words

strike/touch a chord in/with
strike up
strike up a conversation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strike up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strike%20up. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

strike up

verb
1
: to begin or cause to begin to sing or play
strike up the band
2
: to cause to begin
strike up a conversation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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