-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
stool pigeon
noun
1
: a person acting as a decoy or informer
especially
: a spy sent into a group to report (as to the police) on its activities
2
: a pigeon used as a decoy to draw others within a net
Synonyms
Examples of stool pigeon in a Sentence
the FBI finally got a break when one of the mob boss's top henchmen turned stool pigeon
Recent Examples on the Web
They are barred from using certain language during debates including git, guttersnipe, swine and stool pigeon.
—Max Colchester, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
probably from the early practice of fastening the decoy bird to a stool
First Known Use
1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to stool pigeon
Dictionary Entries Near stool pigeon
Cite this Entry
“Stool pigeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stool%20pigeon. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
stool pigeon
noun
: a person acting as a spy or informer for the police
Etymology
from stool pigeon "a pigeon tied to a stool and used as a decoy to draw other birds into a net"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share