pigeon

1 of 2

noun (1)

pi·​geon ˈpi-jən 

1

: any of a widely distributed family (Columbidae, order Columbiformes) of birds with a stout body, rather short legs, and smooth and compact plumage

especially : a member of any of numerous varieties of the rock dove that exist in domestication and in the feral state in cities and towns throughout most of the world

2

: a young woman

3

: an easy mark : dupe

4

: clay pigeon

pigeon

2 of 2

noun (2)

: an object of special concern : accepted business or interest

tennis was not his pigeon

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• chump
• dupe
• gull
• mug [chiefly British]
• patsy
• pushover
• sap
• soft touch
• sucker
• tool

Examples of pigeon in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a confidence man in search of another pigeon

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In one meme, a pigeon sits atop the famous WB water tower as white smoke billows from a chimney — a reference to the recent conclave to select a new pope. —Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC news, 14 May 2025

And, then, Ian Frazier takes a deep dive into the hazardous lives of New York City pigeons. —Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 6 May 2025

So, without giving too much away, that relationship between Evie and DeShawn will be tested by the arrival of another character in Season 3 who will really set the cat amongst the pigeons. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Apr. 2025

As Doocy finished his report and his feed was made smaller on screen so Fox and Friends hosts Ainsley Earhardt, Lawrence Jones and Brian Kilmeade could wrap up the segment, a pigeon landed on Doocy's head. —Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French pygoun, pijun, from Late Latin pipion-, pipio young bird, from Latin pipire to chirp

Noun (2)

alteration of pidgin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1826, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pigeon

• carrier pigeon
• clay pigeon
• homing pigeon
• passenger pigeon
• pigeon breast
• pigeon hawk
• pigeon-livered
• pigeon pea
• pigeon-toed
• rock pigeon
• stool pigeon
• wood pigeon

Rhymes for pigeon

• irreligion
• religion

Kids Definition

pigeon

noun

pi·​geon

ˈpij-ən

1

: any of numerous birds with a stout body, usually short legs, and smooth feathers

especially : any of many varieties of the rock dove that are domesticated or have escaped from domestication and live in cities and towns throughout most of the world

2

: someone who is easily fooled or cheated