pigeonry

A pigeonry stands in the corner of a peaceful garden.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A structure for housing pigeons: "pigeonry" refers to a building, enclosure, or loft specifically designed for keeping domestic pigeons.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer built a new pigeonry to house his racing pigeons. (A structure for keeping pigeons.)
  • The old pigeonry on the estate was falling into disrepair. (An enclosure for pigeons.)

Advanced Usage

• "to keep a pigeonry": to maintain a structure for raising pigeons.
  • He has kept a pigeonry for over twenty years, breeding rare varieties. (He has maintained a pigeon loft for a long time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pigeon (n): a bird of the family Columbidae, often domesticated.

  • The pigeon returned to its loft after a long flight. (The bird came back to its home.)

• Pigeonhole (n): a small compartment for storing papers or letters, or a category for classifying things.

  • Please put the documents in the pigeonhole marked "urgent." (A small compartment for sorting.)

Synonyms

• Loft: a room or space directly under the roof, often used for storing hay or keeping pigeons.
• Dovecote: a structure built to house pigeons or doves, often ornamental.
• Columbarium: a building with niches for funeral urns (historically also used for pigeon housing).

Related Idioms

• "to be in a pigeonry": to be confined in a small space (rarely used idiomatically; more literal).
  • The children felt like they were in a pigeonry, cramped in the tiny room. (A metaphorical use meaning a cramped space.)

Note on Usage

• Pigeonry is a less common term than "dovecote" or "pigeon loft." It is typically used in formal or technical contexts, such as in agriculture, ornithology, or historical descriptions.