pilot

[ pahy-luht ]

noun

1. a person duly qualified to steer ships into or out of a harbor or through certain difficult waters.
2. a person who steers a ship.

   Synonyms: helmsperson

3. Aeronautics. a person duly qualified to operate an airplane, balloon, or other aircraft.
4. a guide or leader:

   the pilot of the expedition.

5. coast pilot ( def 1 ).
6. pilot light ( def 1 ).
7. Machinery. a guide for centering or otherwise positioning two adjacent parts, often consisting of a projection on one part fitting into a recess in the other.
8. Railroads. cowcatcher.
9. Also called pi·lot film [pahy, -l, uh, t film],. Television. a prototypical filmed or taped feature, produced with hopes of network adoption as a television series and aired to test potential viewer interest and attract sponsors.
10. a preliminary or experimental trial or test:

    The school will offer a pilot of its new computer course.

verb (used with object)

1. to steer.
2. to lead, guide, or conduct, as through unknown places, intricate affairs, etc.
3. to act as pilot on, in, or over.

   Synonyms: manage, maneuver

4. to be in charge of or responsible for:

   We're looking for someone to pilot the new project.

adjective

1. serving as an experimental or trial undertaking prior to full-scale operation or use:

   a pilot project.

pilot

/ ˈpaɪlət /

noun

1. 1. a person who is qualified to operate an aircraft or spacecraft in flight
   2. ( as modifier )

      pilot error

2. 1. a person who is qualified to steer or guide a ship into or out of a port, river mouth, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pilot ship

3. a person who steers a ship
4. a person who acts as a leader or guide
5. machinery a guide, often consisting of a tongue or dowel, used to assist in joining two mating parts together
6. machinery a plug gauge for measuring an internal diameter
7. films a colour test strip accompanying black-and-white rushes from colour originals
8. an experimental programme on radio or television
9. See pilot film
10. modifier used in or serving as a test or trial

    a pilot project

11. modifier serving as a guide

    a pilot beacon

verb

1. to act as pilot of
2. to control the course of
3. to guide or lead (a project, people, etc)

Other Words From

• un·pi·lot·ed adjective
• well-pi·lot·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilot¹

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier pylotte, from Middle French pillotte, from Italian pilota, dissimilated variant of pedota, from unattested Medieval Greek pēdṓtēs “steersman,” equivalent to pēd(á) “rudder” (plural of pēdón “oar”) + -ōtēs agent suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilot¹

C16: from French pilote, from Medieval Latin pilotus, ultimately from Greek pēdon oar; related to Greek pous foot

Example Sentences

The pilot and passenger of the Cessna aircraft, owned by First Take Aviation LLC, were able to exit safely after the crash before firefighters arrived.

From Los Angeles Times

The pilot reported engine trouble before the crash, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

From Los Angeles Times

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

It found the pilot had not worked with tugs like Biter before and "did not understand" what the tug would be doing on the manoeuvre.

From BBC

The report also highlighted that the cruise ship's master and tug masters did not have a "shared understanding" of the plan of the Clydeport pilot, who was controlling Hebridean Princess at the time.

From BBC

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator