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pigeonhole

[pij-uhn-hohl]
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noun
  1. one of a series of small, open compartments, as in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing or sorting papers, letters, etc.
  2. a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in.
  3. Also called pigeon hole, white hole. Printing. white space created by setting words or lines too far apart.
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verb (used with object), pi·geon·holed, pi·geon·hol·ing.
  1. to assign to a definite place or to definite places in some orderly system: to pigeonhole new ideas.
  2. to lay aside for use or reference at some later, indefinite time: We must pigeonhole this excellent plan until the time is ripe.
  3. to put aside for the present, especially with the intention of ignoring or forgetting, often indefinitely: to pigeonhole an unwanted invitation.
  4. to place in or as if in a pigeonhole or pigeonholes: to pigeonhole papers.
  5. to fit or provide with pigeonholes: The desk must be pigeonholed for all my papers.
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Origin of pigeonhole

First recorded in 1570–80; pigeon1 + hole

Synonyms

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4. categorize, catalog. 5. file. 6. postpone, shelve.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

boxslotnicherecesssectionnookpocketchambercrannyplacecubbyholecornerholestallcubiclecarrelsortdefersidelinegroup

Examples from the Web for pigeonhole

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He said coolly to the official who aroused him, 'Go to pigeonhole No.

    How to Succeed

    Orison Swett Marden

  • And reaching behind him into a pigeonhole he extracted an envelope, which he passed to me.

    Desert Dust

    Edwin L. Sabin

  • He belongs to no class, evades the label, and fits into no pigeonhole.

  • I could make a square or pigeonhole corner or lay out a brick footing.

    One Way Out

    William Carleton

  • But he went to his desk, and drew a long sheet of paper from a pigeonhole.

    The Crisis, Complete

    Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for pigeonhole

pigeonhole

noun
  1. a small compartment for papers, letters, etc, as in a bureau
  2. a hole or recess in a dovecote for pigeons to nest in
  3. informal a category or classification
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verb (tr)
  1. to put aside or defer
  2. to classify or categorize, esp in a rigid manner
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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