rock pigeon

noun

Examples of rock pigeon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Since ancient times, humans have used rock pigeons to deliver information without fully understanding how the creatures manage to find their way back to their home bases. Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023 Mourning doves are the most common victims of bird strikes at both airports along with rock pigeons, according to FAA data. Alexandra Skores, Dallas News, 13 Mar. 2023 The official common name of the pigeon was recently changed from rock dove to rock pigeon. Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2013 The feral pigeons that inhabit the city today are the descendants of wild rock pigeons, also known as rock doves, which are native to Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia. Keith Williams, New York Times, 23 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rock pigeon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rock pigeon was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near rock pigeon

Cite this Entry

“Rock pigeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rock%20pigeon. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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