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 of pigeon

Noun (1)

• sucker
• victim
• gull
• patsy

Examples of pigeon in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a confidence man in search of another pigeon

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The team also established a satellite system to track pigeons globally and learn more about their navigation skills. —Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 29 May 2026

This suggests that pigeons use a combination of the sun’s orientation and magnetic sensing to navigate—and the latter is a previously unsuspected mechanism for magnetic perception in animals. —ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026

Scientists have long tried to untangle how pigeons travel without getting lost. —ABC News, 28 May 2026

In 1995, the Ig Nobel Prize in psychology went to three researchers at Keio University in Japan for their success in training pigeons to discriminate between the paintings of Picasso and those of Monet. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2026

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