What does doocot mean?
A doocot is a domestic pigeon, especially the kind bred and kept for homing, racing, or exhibition. The word is chiefly associated with British and Irish English and is also used in Australia and New Zealand, particularly in pigeon-racing circles, where it has a practical, traditional flavour. In ordinary use, a doocot may refer to the domestic bird generally or to a racer; it does not identify one particular breed. A useful distinction is that a doocot is the pigeon, whereas a dovecot is the structure in which pigeons are kept. The term can therefore sound delightfully counterintuitive to speakers accustomed to reading “dove” as referring to the bird: in “doocot,” the word denotes the animal itself. “Doocot racing” is its best-known compound, while “fly doocots” refers to competing with pigeons in flight. Though less general than the simple “pigeon,” doocot carries the specialist associations of domestic breeding, controlled flight, and the long cultural history of organized pigeon keeping.
nounA domestic pigeon, especially one kept for racing, homing, or exhibition. The term is particularly associated with pigeon racing.
- A domestic pigeon, especially one used in racing, homing, or exhibition.
"The doocot returned to its loft after crossing the city."
"She raised prize doocots for the annual racing club."
"The old book describes how doocots carried messages between distant towns."
The standard plural is doocots.
"Several doocots were released from the racing loft at sunset."
A doocot is the pigeon, not its house—that role belongs to a dovecot.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does doocot come from?
The word combines doo, a dialectal British term for a pigeon or dove, with cot, an old word for a small shelter or enclosure. Cot is also the source of the related forms dovecot and pigeon-cote, the latter specifically denoting a building for pigeons. The historical development of the modern form was not entirely straightforward, but its association with pigeon keeping is firmly established in British usage.
How doocot is actually used
Particularly associated with domestic pigeon keeping and organized racing; less common in general North American English.
Easily confused with doocot
A doocot is the pigeon itself, whereas a dovecot is the building or enclosure where pigeons are kept.