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

Noun (1)

• chump
• dupe
• gull
• mug [chiefly British]
• patsy
• pushover
• sap
• soft touch
• sucker
• tool

Examples of pigeon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The herpesvirus in question can be carried by healthy pigeons but may cause fatal disease in birds of prey, including owls that become infected by eating pigeons, the society said. —Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024

The latter wrote the New Yorker article about the real-life phenomenon of pigeon racing that inspired the movie. —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024

The breaking point came when the center’s outreach coordinator went outside to take photos of the dogs playing and the pigeon landed on her head. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024

The necropsy, conducted by Bronx Zoo veterinary pathologists, showed that the Eurasian eagle owl contracted herpesvirus from a healthy pigeon. —USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

Swans limping around Paris’s Luxembourg Gardens and baby pigeons abandoned along the Seine riverbanks will end up here. —Jess McHugh, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024

However, Flaco hit a building, then died from his injuries, as well as rat poison and pigeon herpes. —Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2024

The disease was deemed fatal in owls who preyed on pigeons. —USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

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

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