fighter pilot

American  

[fahy-ter pahy-luht] / ˈfaɪ tər ˌpaɪ lət /

noun

Military.

1. a pilot trained to fly aircraft classified as fighters and to engage in aerial combat.

   The last surviving member of this celebrated squadron of fighter pilots has died, at age 92.

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Etymology

Origin of fighter pilot

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Hansen, a 50-year-old former fighter pilot on his maiden voyage into space, said he saw "some extraordinary things" during the first hours aboard the Orion.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Jeremy Hansen is a former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot and physicist who joined the Canadian Space Agency in 2009.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Canadian Jeremy Hansen, a 50-year-old former fighter pilot, will become the first non-American to fly around the Moon.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

MIAMI—Before he emerged as the best young pitcher on the planet, Paul Skenes dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

He wears white condor flight gloves with elaborate gold fining, which means he’s already completed fighter pilot training.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu