passenger pigeon

noun

: an extinct but formerly abundant North American migratory pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius)

Illustration of passenger pigeon

Examples of passenger pigeon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Burke Museum, passenger pigeons were once the most abundant bird in North America, numbering in the billions and accounting for close to 40% of the continent’s land birds when European settlers arrived in the 19th century. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026

Co-founder and tour guide Hannah Michelle Brower says the tour will be a historical journey exploring passenger pigeons and the Lenape people, as well as looking at how the arrival of European colonizers accelerated commercial exploitation and ultimately contributed to the extinction of the bird. — Terra Sullivan, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Thousands of passenger pigeons were shot in the countryside and taken to urban markets by the wagonload. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

In 1914 Martha, the world’s last passenger pigeon, died in Cincinnati. — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for passenger pigeon

• irreligion
• religion

Kids Definition

passenger pigeon

noun

: an extinct but formerly very common North American pigeon that migrated long distances