pigeonhole

[ pij-uhn-hohl ]

/ ˈpɪdʒ ənˌhoʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pigeonhole ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

one of a series of small, open compartments, as in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing or sorting papers, letters, etc.

a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in.

Also called pigeon hole, white hole. Printing. white space created by setting words or lines too far apart.

verb (used with object), pi·geon·holed, pi·geon·hol·ing.

to assign to a definite place or to definite places in some orderly system: to pigeonhole new ideas.

to lay aside for use or reference at some later, indefinite time: We must pigeonhole this excellent plan until the time is ripe.

to put aside for the present, especially with the intention of ignoring or forgetting, often indefinitely: to pigeonhole an unwanted invitation.

to place in or as if in a pigeonhole or pigeonholes: to pigeonhole papers.

to fit or provide with pigeonholes: The desk must be pigeonholed for all my papers.

Nearby words

pigeon pox, pigeon timer, pigeon-hearted, pigeon-livered, pigeon-toed, pigeonhole, pigeonite, pigeonwing, pigface, pigfish, piggery

Origin of pigeonhole

First recorded in 1570–80; pigeon¹ + hole

SYNONYMS FOR pigeonhole

4 categorize, catalog.

5 file.

6 postpone, shelve.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pigeonhole ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pigeonhole

Did you every feel like Hollywood was trying to pigeonhole you as the token “hot” woman?
Alice Eve, the Beautiful New Trekkie, Talks ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’|Marlow Stern|May 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In high school especially, kids often pigeonhole each other to make themselves feel better about their own differences.
Glee's Harmful Simplicity|Andy Dehnart|May 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
In any trial, he would be hard to pigeonhole and harder to control.
Maybe We Shouldn't Try KSM|Richard Miniter|March 5, 2010|DAILY BEAST
We shall find a corner for you and your cousin—if only a pigeonhole.
Under the Mendips|Emma Marshall

He pulled papers from the pigeonhole and spread them on the desk top.
The Lone Ranger Rides|Fran Striker
The top part was somewhat dilapidated, the cover of the desk being broken off and some of the "pigeonhole" compartments smashed.
Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls|Edith Van Dyne (AKA L. Frank Baum)
Kitty ran into Crozier's room, thrust the letter into its pigeonhole in the desk, and in a moment was back again.
You Never Know Your Luck, Complete|Gilbert Parker
The chief pulled a sealed envelope from a pigeonhole in his desk and handed it to Carl.
Motor Matt's Hard Luck|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for pigeonhole

pigeonhole

/ (ˈpɪdʒɪnˌhəʊl) /

noun

a small compartment for papers, letters, etc, as in a bureau

a hole or recess in a dovecote for pigeons to nest in

informal a category or classification

verb (tr)

to put aside or defer

to classify or categorize, esp in a rigid manner

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pigeonhole

noun

verb (used with object), pi·geon·holed, pi·geon·hol·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of pigeonhole

SYNONYMS FOR pigeonhole

Examples from the Web for pigeonhole

British Dictionary definitions for pigeonhole

pigeonhole

noun

verb (tr)