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.
Attendees exchanged contact information, struck up conversations with those around them and continued finding one another in the comments on Instagram and TikTok after the festival. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 In the distance, the two ― both staffers of nondenominational Christian organization Cru ― spied a female avatar standing alone in the virtual hallway and decided to strike up a chat. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Try striking up a conversation or offering a genuine compliment. — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 21 July 2026 The stadium is one of the few remaining spaces where striking up a chat with a stranger still feels natural. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 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 12 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on strike up

Nglish: Translation of strike up for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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