copilot

[ koh-pahy-luh t ]

/ ˈkoʊˌpaɪ lət /

noun

a pilot who is second in command of an aircraft.

Nearby words

Origin of copilot

First recorded in 1925–30; co- + pilot

Also called first officer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for copilot

The copilot on Flight 8501 was Remi Emmanuel Piesel, 46, who despite his age had just 2,275 hours of flying experience.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The workplace dynamic between Whip Whitaker and his copilot, Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty), is another problem.
Real Pilots Laugh at ‘Flight’|Patrick Smith|November 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Fortunately, there was enough oxygen for the pilot and copilot to make a safe landing in Denver.
Keep This Man Away from the FAA|Michael Tomasky|September 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Somehow Messinger, his copilot, the instructor pilot, and the navigator managed to eject from the airplane carrying the bombs.
America's Secret Nuclear Test Revealed in Area 51|Annie Jacobsen|May 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Normally, at that stage in a flight, the copilot, or second officer, would have been in charge.
The Year of Flying Dangerously|Clive Irving|December 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Ten minutes later they were standing on a sand dune along with the pilot and copilot.
A Yankee Flier in Italy|Rutherford G. Montgomery
Besides the pilot and copilot, two men armed with pistols sat in the cramped quarters.
A Yankee Flier in Italy|Rutherford G. Montgomery
O'Malley and Allison dragged the copilot back and crowded him into the narrow rear compartment with the others.
A Yankee Flier in Italy|Rutherford G. Montgomery
Allison slipped into the copilot's seat while Stan sat on a folding stool behind him.
A Yankee Flier in Italy|Rutherford G. Montgomery
Before the copilot could wiggle free, O'Malley was up forward with the other pistol.
A Yankee Flier in Italy|Rutherford G. Montgomery

British Dictionary definitions for copilot

copilot

/ (ˈkəʊˌpaɪlət) /

noun

a second or relief pilot of an aircraft

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for copilot

copilot

1927, from co- + pilot (n.).