wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
"The pigeons gathered on the rooftop, displaying their characteristic heavy bodies and short legs as they cooed softly in the evening light."
One of several birds of the family Columbidae, which consists of more than 300 species.
"The project manager refused to take any pigeon regarding the budget overruns, leaving the team without clear accountability."
Concern or responsibility.
In plain English: A pigeon is a small bird with gray feathers that often lives near cities and eats crumbs on the ground.
"The pigeons gathered on the rooftop to eat crumbs dropped by tourists."
Usage: The term "pigeon" is often used metonymically to refer to the bird's droppings in phrases like "pigeon shit," though this usage remains informal and potentially offensive. When referring to the person, it typically appears in derogatory contexts such as "pigeon man" or implies a specific role within organized crime syndicates rather than describing the animal itself.
To deceive with a confidence game.
"The con artist managed to pigeon his unsuspecting victim out of the entire inheritance before it could be divided."
In plain English: To pigeon something means to force it into an unfair category based on its appearance rather than what is actually true about it.
"The pigeons were cooing softly on the roof during lunchtime."
A surname.
"Pigeon is a common English surname, borne by several notable figures in history and sports."
The word "pigeon" comes from the Latin pīpiāre, meaning "to chirp," which was used to describe a bird that makes such sounds. It entered English through Old French and Middle English, eventually replacing the native word "dove."