pigeonhole
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pigeonhole
- /ˈpɪdʒ(ɪ)nhəʊl/ UK
- /ˈpɪdʒənˌ(h)oʊl/ US
Where it comes from
The noun is derived from pigeon + hole. The verb is derived from the noun.
noun pigeonholes · pigeon-hole · pigeon hole
- One of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote or pigeon loft. Holonyms: pigeon loft, dovecote, columbary, columbarium
- A hole or opening in a door or wall for a pigeon to pass through. The loft was lighted by a semicircular hole, though which the pigeons crept to their lodgings in the same high quarters of the premises; […] 'Dear Clym, I wonder how your face looks now?' she said, gazing abstractedly at the pigeon-hole, which admitted the sunlight so directly upon her brown hair an
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One of an array of open compartments in a desk, set of shelves, etc., used for sorting or storing letters, papers, or other items.
Abbé [Emmanuel Joseph] Sieyès has vvhole neſts of pigeon-holes full of conſtitutions ready made, ticketed, ſorted, and numbered; ſuited to every ſeaſon and every fancy; […]
Similar: cubbyhole
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One of an array of open compartments for receiving mail and other messages at a college, office, etc.
Fred was disappointed to find his pigeonhole empty except for bills and a flyer offering 20% off on manicures.
Similar: cubbyhole
- A compartment or cubicle in a room or other place, especially one which is (excessively) small. The general size of a store in Tangier is about that of an ordinary shower-bath in a civilized land. […] You can rent a whole block of these pigeon-holes for fifty dollars a month.
- A small opening for looking or passing things through. However, as my friend came dodging towards my door, I saw him through the usual pigeon hole through which warders speak to their prisoners.
- An opening in a ship for passing equipment such as an oar or rigging through.
- A form of stocks with openings for restraining a person's hands or feet; also, one of the openings in the device. [D]ovvne vvith him in his Maieſties name, dovvne, dovvne vvith him, and carry him avvay, to the pigeon-holes.
- A seat in the top row of the gallery of a theatre. The Play is done: For from the Pigeon-hole / I heard them hiſs the Curtain as it fell.
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A notional category or class into which someone or something is placed.
The Beat writers had very different styles and disliked the invented term and pigeonhole forced upon them.
Similar: box
- A space between two words that is too wide. Theſe vvide VVhites are by Compoſiters (in vvay of Scandal) call'd Pidgeon-holes, and are by none accounted good VVorkmanſhip, unleſs in ſuch caſes of neceſſity, as aforeſaid. […] And if he [a compositor] Sets too VVide, and he chance to Set a VVord to tvvo tvvice over, he may be forc'd to make Pidg
verb pigeonholes · pigeonholing · pigeonholed · pigeon-hole · pigeon hole
- To construct pigeonholes (noun sense 1 or 3.1) in (a place); also, to subdivide (a place) into pigeonholes. That study is still in its infancy, and our theories on the subjects with which it deals must probably for a long time to come be tentative and provisional, mere pigeon-holes in which temporarily to sort the multitude of facts, not iron moulds in which to cast them for ever.
- To put (letters, papers, or other items) into pigeonholes or small compartments; also, to arrange or sort (items) by putting into pigeonholes. I would rather have my ashes scattered over the soil, to help the growth of the grass and daisies; but still I should not murmur much at having them decently pigeon-holed in a Roman tomb.
- To arrange (items) for future reference or use.
- To put aside (advice, a proposal, or other matter) for future consideration instead of acting on it immediately; to shelve. [S]everal laws and regulations were enacted for the prevention of cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and diphtheria. These laws were not carried into effect: they were pigeon-holed.
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To place (someone or something) into a notional category or class, especially in a way which makes unjustified assumptions or which is restrictive; to categorize, to classify, to label.
Fred was tired of being pigeonholed as a computer geek.
Similar: cubbyhole, put someone in a box
Translations
Every language
noun one of an array of open compartments in a desk, set of shelves, etc., used for sorting and/or storing letters, papers, or other items; one of an array of open c
| Español | casilla, casillero |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 分類架 /分类架 fēnlèijià, 文件架 wénjiànjià |
| Português | escaninho |
| Deutsch | Fach |
| Italiano | casellario |
| Ελληνικά | γραμματοθυρίδα grammatothyrída, θυρίδα thyrída |
| Русский | отделе́ние для бума́г otdelénije dlja bumág |
noun one of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote
| 中文 | 鴿棚 /鸽棚 gēpéng |
|---|---|
| Italiano | piccionaia |
| Ελληνικά | περιστερώνας peristerónas |
| Русский | голуби́ное гнездо́ golubínoje gnezdó |
verb to place (someone or something) into a notional category or class, especially in a way which makes unjustified assumptions or which is restrictive — see also ca
| Español | encasillar |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | 決めつける kimetsukeru |
| Português | rotular |
| Français | cataloguer, ranger dans une case |
| Deutsch | in eine Schublade stecken |
| Italiano | classificare, etichettare |
Talk about this word "pigeonhole." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/pigeonhole. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. pigeonhole. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/pigeonhole "pigeonhole." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/pigeonhole.
Cite this
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BibTeX
@misc{pigeonhole_2026,
title = {pigeonhole},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/pigeonhole},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
