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.
- a young, usually attractive, girl.
- 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 pigeonWords nearby 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.