cockpit

American  

[kok-pit] / ˈkɒkˌpɪt /

noun

1. a space, usually enclosed, in the forward fuselage of an airplane containing the flying controls, instrument panel, and seats for the pilot and copilot or flight crew.

2. a sunken, open area, generally in the after part of a small vessel, as a yacht, providing space for the pilot, part or all of the crew, or guests.

3. the space, including the seat and instrumentation, surrounding the driver of an automobile.

4. a pit or enclosed place for cockfights.

5. a place where a contest is fought or which has been the scene of many contests or battles.

6. (formerly) a space below the water line in a warship, occupied by the quarters of the junior officers and used as a dressing station for those wounded in action.

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cockpit British  

/ ˈkɒkˌpɪt /

noun

1. the compartment in a small aircraft in which the pilot, crew, and sometimes the passengers sit Compare flight deck

2. the driver's compartment in a racing car

3. nautical

   1. an enclosed or recessed area towards the stern of a small vessel from which it is steered

   2. (formerly) an apartment in a warship used as quarters for junior officers and as a first-aid station during combat

4. the site of numerous battles or campaigns

5. an enclosure used for cockfights

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Etymology

Origin of cockpit

First recorded in 1580–90; cock ¹ + pit ¹

Example Sentences

Turkish authorities found the cockpit voice recorder and black box from a private jet that crashed Wednesday killing the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides.

From Barron's

Toxic fumes can leak into the cabin and cockpit of almost every jetliner flying today—from small business jets to the world’s biggest aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some pilots and passengers on flights around the Caribbean could see the fiery debris shower from their cockpits and cabins.

From The Wall Street Journal

Our CX-90’s smallness and fineness continued inside, with the intimate cockpit and cabin wrapped in exquisite Nappa hides, blonde maple wood trim, polished metals and textiles chosen for their home-country narratives.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is like putting an inexperienced pilot in the cockpit of a high-performance jet.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cabin
• compartment