pigeonhole

1 of 2

noun

pi·​geon·​hole ˈpi-jən-ˌhōl 

1

: a hole or small recess for pigeons to nest

2

: a small open compartment (as in a desk or cabinet) for keeping letters or documents

3

: a neat category which usually fails to reflect actual complexities

pigeonhole

2 of 2

verb

pigeonholed; pigeonholing; pigeonholes

transitive verb

1

a

: to place in or as if in the pigeonhole of a desk

b

: to lay aside : shelve

his reports continued to be pigeonholed and his advice not taken

—Walter Mills

2

: to assign to an often restrictive category : classify

pigeonholer

ˈpi-jən-ˌhō-lər 

noun

Examples of pigeonhole in a Sentence

Verb

She likes to perform different types of music because she doesn't want to be pigeonholed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And to his credit, Leitch escapes that pigeonhole … only to get trapped in another. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 24 June 2024

And even those films starring endlessly reincarnating supernatural psycho slashers chasing nubile coeds aren’t so simple to pigeonhole politically. —David Colman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Now a free agent, the 31-year-old might not be pigeonholed as a relief pitcher. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

However, expanding his musical perimeters fits with Bryan’s own desire to not be pigeonholed as primarily a country artist but instead a songwriter. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pigeonhole

• put (someone) in a pigeonhole

Kids Definition

pigeonhole

1 of 2 noun

pi·​geon·​hole -ˌhōl 

: a small open compartment (as in a desk) for keeping letters or papers

pigeonhole

2 of 2 verb

1

: to place in or as if in the pigeonhole of a desk

2

: to assign to a usually restrictive category