homing pigeon

[ hoh-ming pij-uhn ]

noun

1. any pigeon used to carry messages and equipped by training and breeding to fly home, sometimes from great distances.

homing pigeon

noun

1. any breed of pigeon developed for its homing instinct, used for carrying messages or for racing Also calledhomer

Word History and Origins

Origin of homing pigeon¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

At last, the bell rang and the students flew out of the door like a flock of homing pigeons in a movie Ms. Mac showed us.

From Literature

The species joins a small but growing list of animals—including elephants, prairie dogs, and homing pigeons—that make use of such “infrasounds.”

From Science Magazine

They are now taking up the challenge of pigeon racing, releasing their specially-trained homing pigeons, which fly off into the distance and later return home for glory.

From BBC

Local media reports that the feud was related to homing pigeons and an illegal vegetable garden.

From BBC

Musk said he was commenting on the homing pigeons the soldier carried, comparing them to the “bird” that is Twitter.

From Los Angeles Times