homing pigeon

noun

any pigeon used to carry messages and equipped by training and breeding to fly home, sometimes from great distances.

Origin of homing pigeon

First recorded in 1885–90

Words nearby homing pigeon

homilist, homily, homing, homing device, homing guidance, homing pigeon, hominid, hominids, hominin, hominine, hominization

Example sentences from the Web for homing pigeon

  • After a few days in green pastures and beside still waters the soul suddenly turns like a homing-pigeon to poetry.

    The Joyful Heart |Robert Haven Schauffler

  • The canine was a sort of homing-pigeon dog, trained, like a carrier pigeon, to return from each new master as soon as freed.

    Dynamite Stories |Hudson Maxim

  • Her lover should fly to her like homing-pigeon the instant he was released from prison.

    Under Fire |Charles King

British Dictionary definitions for homing pigeon

homing pigeon

noun

any breed of pigeon developed for its homing instinct, used for carrying messages or for racing Also called: homer