Pigeonhole Definition

pĭjən-hōl
pigeonholed, pigeonholes, pigeonholing
noun
pigeonholes
A small, open compartment, as in a desk, for filing papers.
Webster's New World
A specific, often oversimplified category.
American Heritage
A small recess or hole for pigeons to nest in, usually in a compartmented structure.
Webster's New World

One of an array of compartments for sorting post, messages etc. at an office, or college (for example).

Fred was disappointed at the lack of post in his pigeonhole.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
verb
pigeonholed, pigeonholes, pigeonholing
To put in the pigeonhole of a desk, etc.
Webster's New World
To place or file in a small compartment or recess.
American Heritage
To assign to a category or categories; classify.
Webster's New World
To put aside indefinitely, as if intending to ignore or forget; shelve.
Webster's New World

To categorize; especially to limit or be limited to a particular category, role, etc.

Fred was tired of being pigeonholed as a computer geek.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Pigeonhole

Noun

Singular:
pigeonhole
Plural:
pigeonholes

Origin of Pigeonhole

  • Originally literal hole for pigeons, later similar compartments for papers, then extended metaphorically in verb sense of narrowly categorizing or deferring.

    From Wiktionary

  • pigeon +"Ž hole.

    From Wiktionary

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