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

Kazan wrote and starred in 2012’s Ruby Sparks in an attempt to reclaim that manic-pixie pigeonhole. — Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Interiors were dreamed up by Studio Bonarchi, who leaned into Tinian stonework and marble, with authentic pigeonhole detailing that nods to the island’s dovecotes. — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Long marginalized or pigeonholed by festival programmers, African cinema has achieved an undeniable foothold in the main programming strands of A-class fests. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

This versatility makes checkerboard easier to translate into different aesthetics, allowing anyone to try the trend without feeling pigeonholed. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for pigeonhole

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole

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