pigeon

¹

[ pij-uhn ]

noun

1. any bird of the family Columbidae, having a compact body and short legs, especially the larger species with square or rounded tails. Compare dove ¹( def 1 ).
2. a domesticated member of this family, as one of the varieties of the rock dove.
3. Slang.
   1. a young, usually attractive, girl.
   2. a person who is easily fooled or cheated; dupe.
4. Poker Slang. a card, acquired in the draw, that greatly improves a hand or makes it a winner.

pigeon

²

[ pij-uhn ]

noun

1. (not in technical use) pidgin; pidgin English.

pigeon

¹

/ ˈpɪdʒɪn /

noun

1. See rock dove
   any of numerous birds of the family Columbidae, having a heavy body, small head, short legs, and long pointed wings: order Columbiformes See rock dove
2. slang.
   a victim or dupe

pigeon

²

/ ˈpɪdʒɪn /

noun

1. informal.
   concern or responsibility (often in the phrase it's his, her, etc, pigeon )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigeon¹

1350–1400; Middle English pejon young dove < Middle French pijon < Late Latin pīpiōn- (stem of pīpiō ) squab, akin to pīpīre, pīpāre to chirp

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigeon¹

C14: from Old French pijon young dove, from Late Latin pīpiō young bird, from pīpīre to chirp

Origin of pigeon²

C19: altered from pidgin

Idioms and Phrases

see clay pigeon ; stool pigeon .

Example Sentences

Two centuries ago, anyone who wrote an ill-advised post or sent a “bad tweet” would have had to out-gallop a Pony Express rider or figure out how to trap a very determined pigeon.

From Popular-Science

Use high-quality bird seed — not bread, even for ducks and pigeons — tailored to the species you want to tempt.

From Washington Post

The passenger pigeon was once the most abundant bird in North America — maybe even on the planet.

From Science News For Students

Around the same time, Varahn noticed that the woman who fed the pigeons had also disappeared.

From ProPublica

I like my pigeons and my fancy clothes, but other than that, I don’t want anything.

From Washington Post

Instead she played herself out, pigeon-holing herself into the very kind of characters she criticized Apatow for writing.

From The Daily Beast

Wood pigeon, pheasant, partridge, grouse, peacocks, hares, wild rabbits, and waterfowl are all dietary staples.

From The Daily Beast

One of the first stories I ever did for The Times Magazine was about pigeon control “Pigeon Wars.”

From The Daily Beast

For her inaugural menu, she planned crayfish with mayonnaise, pigeon with peas, and an apple brioche flambéed in rum.

From The Daily Beast

Another notable region is nicknamed “Pigeon Valley” for the thousands of bird nesting holes dug into the pliable rock.

From The Daily Beast

The "pigeon house" stood behind a locked gate, and a shallow parterre that had been somewhat neglected.

From Project Gutenberg

After she was far away she looked back and saw a pigeon resting on the shoulder of the statue.

From Project Gutenberg

Again he accompanied her back to her home; and it was after dusk when they reached the little "pigeon-house."

From Project Gutenberg

And Fleetfoot played with Pigeon, and he showed her how to lift hot stones without getting burned.

From Project Gutenberg

Pigeon screamed again, but a hearty laugh from Chew-chew showed there was nothing to fear.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deceive
• discriminate against
• dupe
• exploit
• persecute
• pick on
• prey on
• sting