pilot light

American  

noun

1. 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.

2. pilot lamp.

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pilot light British  

noun

1. a small auxiliary flame that ignites the main burner of a gas appliance when the control valve opens

2. a small electric light used as an indicator

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Etymology

Origin of pilot light

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

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

“The pilot light got ignited by ‘In Bruges.’”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2022

A bugler ignited the pilot light of pride in all of us, heads bowed everywhere and the pit lane swelled with the memories of friends, fathers, brothers and sisters lost.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2021

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

However, he was alert, and he snapped open the spy hole, at the same time opening the tap that allowed a flow of naphtha past the pilot light in the buttress outside.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman