fighter pilot

[ fahy-ter pahy-luht ]

noun

, Military.

1. a pilot trained to fly aircraft classified as fighters and to engage in aerial combat:

   The last surviving member of this celebrated squadron of fighter pilots has died, at age 92.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fighter pilot¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Gen Brown is a former fighter pilot with command experience in the Pacific and Middle East, and was appointed into the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff role by President Joe Biden last year.

From BBC

In the Met's production of "Grounded," a 2023 opera about a female fighter pilot who is forced by pregnancy to operate a drone remotely, the production team led by dramaturg Paul Cremo and producer Michael Mayer used projections to convey the surveillance of a drone, making a specific decision to avoid photorealism.

From Salon

The congressman, a former Navy fighter pilot, flew in more than 30 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom before spending 11 years as an executive with defense contractor Raytheon.

From Los Angeles Times

And Kelly has a great resume: fighter pilot, astronaut, gun control advocate and all-around solid guy.

From Los Angeles Times

He was a fighter pilot in the South African Air Force during World War Two, apparently flying 100 combat missions in the Mediterranean and Western Desert.

From BBC