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.
The two strike up an instant romance but face issues when Jessica's career takes over, and Felix relapses and cheats on her. Caroline Blair, People.com, 18 July 2025 Later that night, Belly strikes up a conversation with Paris returnee Lacie Barone (Lily Donoghue) about the best bakeries to visit, but Jere hustles her away. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 July 2025 Before the gig, Seger struck up a conversation with Cline and the two hit it off. Jeanne Rawdin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025 Eighteen blocks north from One Madison, Adams has struck up another connection to SL Green, opening his campaign’s new headquarters last week at the Graybar Building on Lexington Ave., one of a number of commercial properties the company owns in New York. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Strike up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strike%20up. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on strike up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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