pigeonhole
pi
ˈpɪ
pi
geon
ʤən
jēn
hole
ˌhoʊl
howl
British pronunciation
/pˈɪd‍ʒənhˌə‍ʊl/

Definition & Meaning of "pigeonhole"in English

Pigeonhole
01

a small compartment or niche used for sorting or storing items

What is a "pigeonhole"?

A pigeonhole is a small, open compartment or shelf, often part of a larger piece of furniture, used to store or organize items such as letters, documents, or small personal belongings. Pigeonholes are commonly found in offices, libraries, or mailrooms, where they help separate and sort items in a neat and accessible way. The compartments are typically arranged in rows or columns, allowing for easy identification and retrieval of stored items. Pigeonholes are designed to keep things organized and prevent clutter.

example
Examples
The mailroom had individual pigeonholes for each employee to receive their correspondence.
She organized her paperwork by placing them in different pigeonholes labeled with categories.
02

a specific (often simplistic) category

to pigeonhole
01

treat or classify according to a mental stereotype

02

place into a small compartment

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