pilot

[ pahy-luht ]

noun

1. a person duly qualified to steer ships into or out of a harbor or through certain difficult waters.
2. a person who steers a ship.

   Synonyms: helmsperson

3. Aeronautics. a person duly qualified to operate an airplane, balloon, or other aircraft.
4. a guide or leader:

   the pilot of the expedition.

5. coast pilot ( def 1 ).
6. pilot light ( def 1 ).
7. Machinery. a guide for centering or otherwise positioning two adjacent parts, often consisting of a projection on one part fitting into a recess in the other.
8. Railroads. cowcatcher.
9. Also called pi·lot film [pahy, -l, uh, t film],. Television. a prototypical filmed or taped feature, produced with hopes of network adoption as a television series and aired to test potential viewer interest and attract sponsors.
10. a preliminary or experimental trial or test:

    The school will offer a pilot of its new computer course.

verb (used with object)

1. to steer.
2. to lead, guide, or conduct, as through unknown places, intricate affairs, etc.
3. to act as pilot on, in, or over.

   Synonyms: manage, maneuver

4. to be in charge of or responsible for:

   We're looking for someone to pilot the new project.

adjective

1. serving as an experimental or trial undertaking prior to full-scale operation or use:

   a pilot project.

pilot

/ ˈpaɪlət /

noun

1. 1. a person who is qualified to operate an aircraft or spacecraft in flight
   2. ( as modifier )

      pilot error

2. 1. a person who is qualified to steer or guide a ship into or out of a port, river mouth, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pilot ship

3. a person who steers a ship
4. a person who acts as a leader or guide
5. machinery a guide, often consisting of a tongue or dowel, used to assist in joining two mating parts together
6. machinery a plug gauge for measuring an internal diameter
7. films a colour test strip accompanying black-and-white rushes from colour originals
8. an experimental programme on radio or television
9. See pilot film
   See pilot film
10. modifier used in or serving as a test or trial

    a pilot project

11. modifier serving as a guide

    a pilot beacon

verb

1. to act as pilot of
2. to control the course of
3. to guide or lead (a project, people, etc)

Other Words From

• un·pi·lot·ed adjective
• well-pi·lot·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilot¹

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier pylotte, from Middle French pillotte, from Italian pilota, dissimilated variant of pedota, from unattested Medieval Greek pēdṓtēs “steersman,” equivalent to pēd(á) “rudder” (plural of pēdón “oar”) + -ōtēs agent suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilot¹

C16: from French pilote, from Medieval Latin pilotus, ultimately from Greek pēdon oar; related to Greek pous foot

Example Sentences

“We’re piloting a new reporting system beginning with security issues,” Google said on Twitter.

From Search Engine Land

The plan was to assume control midflight, when Dymshits would take over from the pilots, who would be deplaned at a stopover.

From Ozy

She wants Montgomery to become a pilot school for outdoor learning.

From Voice of San Diego

San Diego’s Environmental Services Department persuades the City Council to expand the pilot program.

From Voice of San Diego

In a pilot phase, Dominguez-Bello plans to host a course in Lima, Peru with collaborators from local universities, but the timing is uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

From Science News

The Air Force has about seven pilots for every eight drone pilot slots, in other words.

From The Daily Beast

Investigators will focus on whether the sudden emergency was so extreme that no degree of pilot skill would have helped.

From The Daily Beast

At such a moment, the pilot has no resources other than his own instincts and experience.

From The Daily Beast

By 2011, Airbus was working on a program to replicate these conditions in a flight simulator for use in pilot training.

From The Daily Beast

The “pilot flying” was more probably the far less experienced copilot.

From The Daily Beast

The tall, lean youngster wore a junior pilot's bands on the sleeves of his blue uniform.

From Project Gutenberg

The Dimbula picked up her pilot and came in covered with salt and red rust.

From Project Gutenberg

These men seem to have later joined the pilot, as he had 14 men when he encountered La Saussaye.

From Project Gutenberg

Since the examination of this harbour, a penal settlement has been formed, and a pilot appointed to conduct vessels in and out.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless those on board of her did not feel much uneasiness, because a good pilot had been secured in the channel.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator