pilot plant

American  

noun

1. an experimental industrial plant in which processes or techniques planned for use in full-scale operation are tested in advance.

---

pilot plant British  

noun

1. a small-scale industrial plant in which problems can be identified and solved before the full-scale plant is built

---

Etymology

Origin of pilot plant

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pilot plant

The Tanbreez project holds 45 million tons of rare earth hard rock deposits, with a pilot plant program starting in May.

From Barron's ● Apr. 17, 2026

The project, which kicked off in 2022, is working on a pilot plant that's due to be operational in the first half of this year - though it's hit some difficulties.

From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2024

It is based on modernizing blast furnace technology with moderate investments and has already been demonstrated successfully in a pilot plant.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 21, 2023

The startup company Virtus Solis Technologies has also been testing power beaming and plans to launch a pilot plant into orbit in 2026.

From Science Magazine ● Jun. 5, 2023

So we're getting a pilot plant: eggs, incubator, and a knocked-down broiler battery so we can try the idea out.

From The Lani People by Bone, Jesse F. (Jesse Franklin)