pilot light
Americannoun
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Also called pilot, pilot burner. a small flame kept burning continuously, as in a gas stove or furnace, to relight the main gas burners whenever necessary or desired.
noun
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a small auxiliary flame that ignites the main burner of a gas appliance when the control valve opens
-
a small electric light used as an indicator
Etymology
Origin of pilot light
First recorded in 1885–90
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.
One of the property’s residents told Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE-TV that the victim was trying to turn on the pilot light on a furnace in the guest house when the building burst.
From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2023
That might be a sign that the pilot light on the heater has gone out.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2023
And in light of her age, her drive and her talent, it would come as quite a surprise if Swiatek, with Nadal for a pilot light, does not win at Roland Garros again.
From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2022
The first few nights I wondered whether I’d walk downstairs and find Archie staring at the water heater pilot light or sitting at my laptop, transferring our savings into an offshore bank account.
From Washington Post • Oct. 4, 2020
I needed something that could hold a flame, some kind of pilot light.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
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.
