Pigeonhole

/ˈpɪdʒ(ɪ)nhəʊl/ · noun

Meaning

One of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote or pigeon loft..

Definitions by Sense

1. One of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote or pigeon loft.
2. (archaic) A hole or opening in a door or wall for a pigeon to pass through.
3. One of an array of open compartments in a desk, set of shelves, etc., used for sorting or storing letters, papers, or other items.
4. A compartment or cubicle in a room or other place, especially one which is (excessively) small.
5. A small opening for looking or passing things through.
6. A form of stocks with openings for restraining a person's hands or feet; also, one of the openings in the device.
7. A seat in the top row of the gallery of a theatre.
8. A notional category or class into which someone or something is placed.

Example Sentences

Holonyms: pigeon loft, dovecote, columbary, columbarium

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 and transparent tissues that it almost seemed to shine through her.

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; […]

Blank ink and red ink, pounce, wafers, wax, pens, seals, imbibing-paper, rulers, files, were all there; pegs for hats, shelves and hooks, pigeon-holes full of samples of sugar, of rice, tobacco, coffee, and the like: all the dull paraphernalia of a trader's elaboratory.

This has been fitted with blocks of pigeon-holes, 1029 in number, for the reception of the alphabetically arranged slips.

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.

However, as my friend came dodging towards my door, I saw him through the usual pigeon hole through which warders speak to their prisoners.

[D]ovvne vvith him in his Maieſties name, dovvne, dovvne vvith him, and carry him avvay, to the pigeon-holes.

Synonyms for pigeonhole

Antonyms for pigeonhole

Related Words

Word Forms

• pigeonholes
• pigeon-hole
• pigeon hole
• pigeonholing
• pigeonholed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions