autopilot
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of autopilot
Explanation
Autopilot is a system that controls the course of an airplane or ship. If the captain of a ship is using autopilot, she can take a break from manning the controls herself. When a plane is on autopilot, it's not exactly flying itself, but it's set to maintain a course or altitude while the pilot concentrates on other details of operating the airplane. Autopilot is short for automatic pilot, and the first such system for aircraft was invented in 1912. The nickname came later, in the 1930s. The slang meaning of autopilot is "out of habit," as when a sleep deprived worker goes through his whole day on autopilot.
Vocabulary lists containing autopilot
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: auto
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for July 13–July 19, 2025
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for April 27–May 3, 2024
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Employees who put all their work tasks on autopilot using AI tools are also in jeopardy of losing the critical-thinking skills that will make them valued assets in the new era of work.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026
And we’re kind of experiencing them almost on autopilot and running on emotions.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
They allow us to run on autopilot during routine tasks like brushing our teeth or driving along a familiar road, freeing up mental energy for other thoughts.
From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026
It’s the same principle as thinking in the shower—putting your brain on autopilot until it goes, “Aha!”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026
I tapped into my ability to go on mental autopilot.
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
