pigeon

1
[ pij-uh n ]
/ ˈpɪdʒ ən /

noun

any bird of the family Columbidae, having a compact body and short legs, especially the larger species with square or rounded tails. Compare dove1(def 1).
a domesticated member of this family, as one of the varieties of the rock dove.
Slang.
  1. a young, usually attractive, girl.
  2. a person who is easily fooled or cheated; dupe.
Poker Slang. a card, acquired in the draw, that greatly improves a hand or makes it a winner.

Origin of pigeon

1
1350–1400; Middle English pejon young dove < Middle French pijon < Late Latin pīpiōn- (stem of pīpiō) squab, akin to pīpīre, pīpāre to chirp

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pigeon

pidgin pigeon

Definition for pigeon (2 of 2)

pigeon 2
[ pij-uh n ]
/ ˈpɪdʒ ən /

noun

(not in technical use) pidgin; pidgin English.

Example sentences from the Web for pigeon

British Dictionary definitions for pigeon (1 of 2)

pigeon 1
/ (ˈpɪdʒɪn) /

noun

any of numerous birds of the family Columbidae, having a heavy body, small head, short legs, and long pointed wings: order Columbiformes See rock dove
slang a victim or dupe

Word Origin for pigeon

C14: from Old French pijon young dove, from Late Latin pīpiō young bird, from pīpīre to chirp

British Dictionary definitions for pigeon (2 of 2)

pigeon 2
/ (ˈpɪdʒɪn) /

noun

British informal concern or responsibility (often in the phrase it's his, her, etc, pigeon)

Word Origin for pigeon

C19: altered from pidgin

Idioms and Phrases with pigeon

pigeon

see clay pigeon; stool pigeon.