carrier pigeon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral, slightly formal, often historical or technical
Quick answer
What does “carrier pigeon” mean?
A domesticated pigeon, historically bred and trained to carry messages over long distances, released to return to its home loft.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A domesticated pigeon, historically bred and trained to carry messages over long distances, released to return to its home loft.
A pigeon (specifically a homing pigeon) used to transport small written messages or microfilm; a reliable messenger or communication system (especially in historical or non-digital contexts); metaphorically, a person or entity that transmits information from one place to another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. UK usage may be slightly more common in historical narratives (e.g., WWI/WWII). US usage appears equally in historical and metaphorical contexts.
Connotations
Both share connotations of reliability, antiquity, and low-tech communication.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. Slightly higher in UK due to historical prominence in British military communications.
Grammar
How to Use “carrier pigeon” in a Sentence
to send [a message] by carrier pigeonto use carrier pigeons to [communicate]to train carrier pigeons for [purpose]The carrier pigeon carried [object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carrier pigeon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They attempted to carrier-pigeon the plans across enemy lines.
- Intelligence was carrier-pigeoned from the field.
American English
- We carrier-pigeoned the coordinates to headquarters.
- The data was carrier-pigeoned before the network failed.
adverb
British English
- The message arrived carrier-pigeon, two days late.
- They communicated carrier-pigeon for security.
American English
- The news was sent carrier-pigeon from the frontier.
- We correspond carrier-pigeon as a hobby.
adjective
British English
- The carrier-pigeon service was vital in the siege.
- They developed a carrier-pigeon communication protocol.
American English
- The carrier-pigeon network spanned the continent.
- He received carrier-pigeon intelligence reports.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'We can't rely on carrier pigeons for our stock data; we need a real-time API.'
Academic
Historical studies of communication, military history, animal domestication.
Everyday
Jokingly used for slow communication: 'I sent the file, but by carrier pigeon, so it might take a week.'
Technical
Ornithology, pigeon racing/homing biology, historical espionage techniques.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carrier pigeon”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carrier pigeon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carrier pigeon”
- Using 'carrier pigeon' for any pigeon seen in a city (it's a specific bred/trained type).
- Confusing 'carrier pigeon' with 'passenger pigeon' (an extinct species).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a separate species. It is a domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) that has been selectively bred and trained for its homing ability.
Rarely for practical messaging. Their primary modern use is in pigeon racing and as a hobby. They are sometimes used symbolically or in extraordinary circumstances where electronic communication fails.
In casual use, they are synonyms. Technically, all carrier pigeons are homing pigeons, but 'carrier' emphasizes the message-carrying function, while 'homing' describes the innate navigational ability.
They can fly hundreds of miles in a day. Record distances are over 1,000 miles (1,600 km), but typical effective operational ranges in historical use were less, around 100-500 miles.
A domesticated pigeon, historically bred and trained to carry messages over long distances, released to return to its home loft.
Carrier pigeon is usually neutral, slightly formal, often historical or technical in register.
Carrier pigeon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæriə ˈpɪdʒɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæriər ˈpɪdʒən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't shoot the messenger (sometimes humorously linked to carrier pigeons)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a POSTMAN carrying letters. A CARRIER pigeon CARRIES messages.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING, RELIABLE, LOW-TECH COMMUNICATION CHANNEL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a carrier pigeon?