Pigeonhole: meaning, definitions and examples
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pigeonhole
[ ˈpɪdʒɪnhəʊl ]
in a postal system
A small open compartment or cubbyhole in a desk, cabinet, or wall, used for sorting and storing mail or other small items.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The postman sorted the letters into each pigeonhole according to the street address.
- She found a stack of unopened mail in her pigeonhole at work.
in a bureaucratic context
To assign or categorize someone or something in a specific, often oversimplified way, without considering individual differences or complexities.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Don't pigeonhole him as just a comedian, he is a talented actor as well.
- We shouldn't pigeonhole this issue into a simple 'right' or 'wrong' category.
Translations
Translations of the word "pigeonhole" in other languages:
🇵🇹 compartimento
🇮🇳 कबूतरखाना
🇩🇪 Postfach
🇮🇩 kotak surat
🇺🇦 поштовий ящик
🇵🇱 przegródka
🇯🇵 仕切り箱
🇫🇷 casier
🇪🇸 casillero
🇹🇷 güvercin deliği
🇰🇷 우편함
🇸🇦 صندوق البريد
🇨🇿 přihrádka
🇸🇰 priehradka
🇨🇳 信箱
🇸🇮 predalček
🇮🇸 pósthólf
🇰🇿 пошта жәшігі
🇬🇪 საფოსტო ყუთი
🇦🇿 poçt qutusu
🇲🇽 casillero
Word origin
The term 'pigeonhole' originated in the 17th century, referring to the small compartments used by pigeon fanciers to house their birds. Over time, it evolved to describe the small compartments or slots used for sorting and storing mail or other items. The verb form, meaning to categorize or label in a simplistic way, emerged later in the 20th century, likely influenced by the physical pigeonholes used in organizational contexts.