one of a series of small, open compartments, as in a desk, cabinet, or the like, used for filing or sorting papers, letters, etc.

a hole or recess, or one of a series of recesses, for pigeons to nest in.

Also called pigeon hole, white hole. Printing . white space created by setting words or lines too far apart.

to assign to a definite place or to definite places in some orderly system

to pigeonhole new ideas.

to lay aside for use or reference at some later, indefinite time

We must pigeonhole this excellent plan until the time is ripe.

to put aside for the present, esp. with the intention of ignoring or forgetting, often indefinitely

to pigeonhole an unwanted invitation.

to place in or as if in a pigeonhole or pigeonholes

to pigeonhole papers.

to fit or provide with pigeonholes

The desk must be pigeonholed for all my papers.

noun

box , carrel , chamber , corner , cranny , cubbyhole , cubicle , hole , niche , nook , place , pocket , recess , section , slot , stall

verb

assort , class , classify , defer , delay , dismiss , file , group , hold , hold off , hold up , label , lay aside , peg * , postpone , put aside , put down as , put off , put on hold , put on ice , put on the bank burner , rank , sideline , sort , tab , table , type cast , categorize , separate , distribute , grade , place , range , rate , arrange , catalog , compartment , compartmentalize , cubbyhole , cubicle , niche , recess , shelf , slot , store , type