warm up

present singular third person warms up · participle present warming up · participle past warmed up · past warmed up

1. intransitiveTo become warmer.

   He came inside to warm up.

   1 more example

   It took a long time for the place to warm up and to counteract the cold and enable their fingers to cope with the delicate task of moulding, the men would often surround themselves with blocks of iron heated in the furnace.

   1944 November and December, A Former Pupil, “Some Memories of Crewe Works—II”, in Railway Magazine, page 342

2. transitiveTo heat or reheat (e.g. food).

   I couldn't be bothered to cook another meal so I just warmed up yesterday's leftovers.

3. intransitivetransitiveTo reach, or cause to reach, a normal operating temperature (of a car for example).

   These old valve radios take a few minutes to warm up.

4. To physically or mentally prepare oneself, something or someone for an activity.
   1. figurativelyintransitiveTo do gentle exercise, stretching etc., in order to prepare the body for more vigorous exercise.

      It is important to warm up properly before your gym session.

   2. figurativelyintransitiveTo prepare for an activity by carrying out a practice or preparation routine.

      The band were already on stage, warming up for the gig.

   3. figurativelytransitiveTo make (an audience) enthusiastic or animated before a show.

      Rich knew how to warm up the audience of The Price is Right. His good looks and charming personality made even that special.

      1 more example

      It was a dark Saturday night last month on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where Saturday nights can get very dark, but Sabrina Brier, in a rhinestone necklace and strapless plaid pantsuit, was agleam onstage at a basement comedy club called Caveat warming up the crowd.

      2023 March 14, Alexandra Jacobs, “Your Annoying Roommate Is Slaying on TikTok”, in The New York Times

5. figurativelyintransitiveSynonym of warm (to favor increasingly).

   Synonyms: warm

6. transitivecomputingSynonym of warm (“prepopulate a cache”).

   Synonyms: warm

7. InternettransitiveSynonym of warm (“send mail from a domain to improve reputation”).

   Synonyms: warm