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pilot Definition

pi·lot (pī′lət)

noun

    1. Archaic helmsman
    2. a person licensed to direct ships into or out of a harbor or through difficult waters
  2. a person qualified to operate the controls of an aircraft or spacecraft
  3. a guide; leader
  4. a device that guides the action of a machine or machine part
  5. ☆ a metal frame on the front of a locomotive, to remove obstructions from the track
    1. pilot light (sense )
    2. pilot film

Etymology: MFr pilote < It pilota, pedoto < MGr *pēdōtēs < Gr pēdon, oar blade (in pl., rudder), akin to pous, foot

transitive verb

  1. to act as a pilot of, on, in, or over
  2. to guide; conduct; lead

adjective

  1. that serves as a guide or guiding device
  2. that serves as an activating device
  3. that serves as a trial unit for experimentation or testing

pilot Related Forms
pi′·lot·less adjective
pilot Synonyms

pilot

n.

  1. Flier

    aviator, airman, fighter pilot, commercial pilot, bomber pilot, automatic pilot, mechanical pilot, aeronaut, aerial navigator, navigator, aerialist, jet jockey*, birdman*; see also aviator.

  2. One who conducts ships

    helmsman, steersman, navigator, man at the wheel, man at the controls, wheelman, coxswain.

  3. Guide

    scout, leader, director; see guide 1.

pilot Synonyms

pilot

v.

guide, conduct, steer, manage; see lead 1.

pilot Usage Examples

Possessives

  • license: Ray learned to fly gliders at Usworth Aerodrome some time later and gained his glider pilot's license at the age of 16.

Converse of object

  • qualify: FLYING AT STEYNING The after school Club is now available for our newly qualified Pilots.

Adjective modifier

  • experienced: For the low experienced pilot this allows greater freedom for error.
  • six-month: The six-month pilot, due to start next year, is part of the Court Service's Modernizing the Civil Courts Program.
  • automatic: Eight hours sleep is optimum to allow the body to operate on automatic pilot for repair.
  • qualified: On January 24th I passed my flying test and achieved a lifetime ambition of becoming a qualified pilot!
  • successful: After a successful pilot, we can now register learners electronically.
  • three-year: It was established in the Shetland Islands in 1997 following a three-year pilot under the local authority.

Modifies a noun

  • scheme: The national rollout of NUS Extra follows a pilot scheme carried out in 13 unions in the North West during 2005/06.
  • project: Treasure Island: a 1997 pilot project for Stories from the Web.
  • phase: This is an important opportunity for businesses to register interest in taking part in the pilot phase of the scheme.
  • study: In their pilot study of twenty children over six months, two thirds had improved seizure control on the diet.
  • episode: According to EA, around 100,000 people signed up for the free pilot episode of Majestic.
  • program: The co-ordinator for the pilot program worked with the schools to deliver the project.

Noun used with modifier

  • fighter: During World War II, the demands changed due to burn often suffered by fighter pilots.
  • glider: Ray learned to fly gliders at Usworth Aerodrome some time later and gained his glider pilot 's license at the age of 16.
  • helicopter: A popular calling place for walkers and more unusually for thirsty helicopter pilots - there is a helicopter pad outside!
  • airline: Norman must hold the record, at age 16, for being the youngest airline pilot ever hired.
  • RAF: All AEF pilots are regular or Volunteer Reserve RAF pilots.
  • bomber: Combat Flight Simulator 3 places you in the position of either a fighter or bomber pilot in the thick of World War II.
pilot Quotes

Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.

—Tennyson