What does "pigeonhole" mean?
One of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote or pigeon loft.
Pigeonhole
/ˈpɪdʒ(ɪ)nhəʊl/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote or pigeon loft.
- Grammar: pigeonhole is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: adjourn, air hole, alphabetize, analyze.
- Useful contrasts: acknowledge, ambiguity, generalize.
- Usage evidence: The media had attempted to pigeonhole the indie rock band as a mere novelty.
How to use "pigeonhole"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pigeonhole" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pigeonhole" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "pigeonhole" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "pigeonhole" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "pigeonhole" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adjourn" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "pigeonhole", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote or pigeon loft.
- 2 a small compartment wordnet
- 3 A hole or opening in a door or wall for a pigeon to pass through. archaic
"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."
- 4 a specific (often simplistic) category wordnet
- 5 One of an array of open compartments in a desk, set of shelves, etc., used for sorting or storing letters, papers, or other items. broadly
"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; […]"
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 One of an array of open compartments in a desk, set of shelves, etc., used for sorting or storing letters, papers, or other items.; One of an array of open compartments for receiving mail and other messages at a college, office, etc. broadly
"Fred was disappointed to find his pigeonhole empty except for bills and a flyer offering 20% off on manicures."
- 7 A compartment or cubicle in a room or other place, especially one which is (excessively) small. broadly
"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."
- 8 A small opening for looking or passing things through. broadly
"However, as my friend came dodging towards my door, I saw him through the usual pigeon hole through which warders speak to their prisoners."
- 9 A small opening for looking or passing things through.; An opening in a ship for passing equipment such as an oar or rigging through. archaic, broadly
- 10 A form of stocks with openings for restraining a person's hands or feet; also, one of the openings in the device. also, attributive, broadly, historical, in-plural
"[D]ovvne vvith him in his Maieſties name, dovvne, dovvne vvith him, and carry him avvay, to the pigeon-holes."
- 11 A seat in the top row of the gallery of a theatre. broadly, obsolete
"The Play is done: For from the Pigeon-hole / I heard them hiſs the Curtain as it fell."
- 12 A notional category or class into which someone or something is placed. figuratively
"The Beat writers had very different styles and disliked the invented term and pigeonhole forced upon them."
- 13 A space between two words that is too wide. archaic, figuratively
"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 Pidgeon-holes e're he come to a Break, […]"
Verb
- 1 To construct pigeonholes (noun noun sense 1 or noun sense 3.1) in (a place); also, to subdivide (a place) into pigeonholes. transitive
"I had proposed to pigeon-hole the walls of the drawing-room for the reception of the dictionary material."
- 2 treat or classify according to a mental stereotype wordnet
- 3 To put (letters, papers, or other items) into pigeonholes or small compartments; also, to arrange or sort (items) by putting into pigeonholes. transitive
"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."
- 4 place into a small compartment wordnet
- 5 To arrange (items) for future reference or use. figuratively, transitive
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To put aside (advice, a proposal, or other matter) for future consideration instead of acting on it immediately; to shelve. figuratively, transitive
"[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."
- 7 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. figuratively, transitive
"Fred was tired of being pigeonholed as a computer geek."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The media had attempted to pigeonhole the indie rock band as a mere novelty."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pigeonhole"?
Common synonyms include: adjourn, air hole, alphabetize, analyze, armhole, arrange.
How do you use "pigeonhole" in a sentence?
The media had attempted to pigeonhole the indie rock band as a mere novelty.
How do you pronounce "pigeonhole"?
Pronounced /ˈpɪdʒ(ɪ)nhəʊl/.
Etymology
The noun is derived from pigeon + hole. The verb is derived from the noun.