pi·geon·hole
ˈpi-jən-ˌhōl 
1
: a hole or small recess for pigeons to nest
2
: a small open compartment (as in a desk or cabinet) for keeping letters or documents
3
: a neat category which usually fails to reflect actual complexities
pigeonholed; pigeonholing; pigeonholes
1
a
: to place in or as if in the pigeonhole of a desk
b
: to lay aside : shelve
his reports continued to be pigeonholed and his advice not taken—
Walter Mills
Walter Mills2
: to assign to an often restrictive category : classify
Examples of pigeonhole in a Sentence
Verb
She likes to perform different types of music because she doesn't want to be pigeonholed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Will Leitch, Vulture, 24 June 2024
And even those films starring endlessly reincarnating supernatural psycho slashers chasing nubile coeds aren’t so simple to pigeonhole politically.
—David Colman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
However, expanding his musical perimeters fits with Bryan’s own desire to not be pigeonholed as primarily a country artist but instead a songwriter.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pigeonhole 
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Noun
And to his credit, Leitch escapes that pigeonhole … only to get trapped in another.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 24 June 2024
And even those films starring endlessly reincarnating supernatural psycho slashers chasing nubile coeds aren’t so simple to pigeonhole politically.
—David Colman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Now a free agent, the 31-year-old might not be pigeonholed as a relief pitcher.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
However, expanding his musical perimeters fits with Bryan’s own desire to not be pigeonholed as primarily a country artist but instead a songwriter.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pigeonhole
Articles Related to pigeonhole
Dictionary Entries Near pigeonhole
Cite this Entry
“Pigeonhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pigeonhole. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pigeonhole
1 of 2 noun
pi·geon·hole
-ˌhōl
: a small open compartment (as in a desk) for keeping letters or papers
pigeonhole
2 of 2 verb1
: to place in or as if in the pigeonhole of a desk
2
: to assign to a usually restrictive category
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