What is a pigeon hole meaning?
Mia Phillips
Updated on February 25, 2026
: a small open space in a desk, cabinet, or wall for keeping letters or papers. —used to say that someone or something is being unfairly thought of or described as belonging to a particular group, having only a particular skill, etc. pigeonhole. verb.
Why is it called pigeon holed?
In medieval times pigeons were kept as domestic birds, not for racing but for their meat. By 1789, the arrangement of compartments in writing cabinets and offices used to sort and file documents had come to be known as pigeon holes because of their resemblance to the pigeon cote.
What is pigeon hole principle explain with example?
For example, given that the population of London is greater than the maximum number of hairs that can be present on a human’s head, then the pigeonhole principle requires that there must be at least two people in London who have the same number of hairs on their heads.
What does pigeonhole mean in government?
If the committee does not act on a bill, it is the equivalent of killing it. The Committee Chair has the right to “pigeonhole” (not assign or hear debate on the bill) thus killing it.
What does impossible to pigeon hole mean?
: to unfairly think of or describe (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group, having only a particular skill, etc. He’s a talented actor who doesn’t want to be put in a pigeonhole.
What are pigeon holes used for?
one of a series of small, open compartments, as in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing or sorting papers, letters, etc. a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in. Also called pigeon hole, white hole.
What is the purpose of pigeonhole principle?
The quintessential counting argument The pigeonhole principle states that if n items are put into m containers, with n > m, then at least one container must contain more than one item.
What are the indications that someone has been pigeon holed?
Why does pigeonholing happen? Often, being pigeonholed is the outcome of your success, says career coach Lucy Allen. Allen says if you’re noticing people around you being given opportunities for new projects or growth but feel you’re not given the same consideration, there’s a chance you’re being pigeonholed.
What is the meaning of the word pigeonhole?
Pigeonhole is most used as a verb meaning “to categorize in a restrictive way.”. However, pigeonhole did indeed once refer to small spaces for pigeons, before referring to a space used to store and categorize papers. The English language has a rich history of words which came into use with a clear and distinct meaning,
What is a pigeon hole in a desk?
pi•geon•hole (ˈpɪdʒ ənˌhoʊl) n., v. -holed, -hol•ing. n. 1. one of a series of small, open compartments in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing papers, letters, etc. 2. a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in.
Do pigeons actually live in pigeonholes?
Do pigeons actually live in them? Pigeonhole is most used as a verb meaning “to categorize in a restrictive way.” However, pigeonhole did indeed once refer to small spaces for pigeons, before referring to a space used to store and categorize papers.
What is the meaning of Pi-hole?
pi•geon•hole. (ˈpɪdʒ ənˌhoʊl) n., v. -holed, -hol•ing. n. 1. one of a series of small, open compartments in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing papers, letters, etc. 2. a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in.