pilot

American  

[pahy-luht] / ˈpaɪ lət /

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.

6. pilot light.

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 pilot film.  Also called pilot tape.  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.

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verb (used with object)

pilots, present (3rd person singular) piloted, past participle, past piloting present participle

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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to act as pilot of

2. to control the course of

3. to guide or lead (a project, people, etc)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• well-piloted
  adjective
• unpiloted
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have piloted
  perfect
• has piloted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been piloting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is piloting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are piloting
  progressive
• piloting
  participle
• have been piloting
  perfect progressive
• pilots
  singular 3rd person
• am piloting
  progressive 1st person singular

Past

• had piloted
  perfect
• was piloting
  progressive singular
• had been piloting
  perfect progressive
• were piloting
  progressive plural
• piloted
  simple
• piloted
  participle

Future

• will pilot
  simple
• will have piloted
  perfect
• will be piloting
  progressive
• will have been piloting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of pilot

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

Explanation

A pilot leads the way. An aircraft pilot flies a plane, and a maritime pilot steers a ship. Also, to pilot is to guide to safety, like to navigate a ship out of a harbor or through a sea of zombies. Pilot comes from the Greek pēdon meaning "oar." Like an oar that steers a ship, a pilot steers or directs a plane. A pilot can also be a model or basis for others of its kind. A school might launch a pilot breakfast program for a few students before introducing it to the whole school. The pilot episode of a TV show is like a test program produced to determine viewer interest before making a whole season.

Example Sentences

The preliminary report didn’t contain any recommendations for Boeing, which essentially shifted responsibility away from the plane and toward pilot error.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

“Saying we’re stuck in pilot mode is this outdated idea that’s wrong,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

During the pilot, young people who were supported have made an average of nearly two meaningful relationships.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Similar support exists in some places outside the pilot, arranged by councils or charities independently, but it is patchy.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Khrushchev explained: he could have released Powers, the American pilot, right before the election.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator