-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
test pilot
noun
: a pilot who specializes in putting new or experimental airplanes through maneuvers designed to test them (as for strength) by producing strains in excess of normal
Examples of test pilot in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two astronauts, both [Butch Wilmore] and [Sunita Williams] are test pilots.
—Linah Mohammad, NPR, 6 May 2024
Williams, 58, is a former Naval test pilot with experience flying over 30 different aircraft.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 6 May 2024
And, like a junior officer first learning tactics, some lessons can only be learned in the air, Vista’s test pilots said.
—Tara Copp, Fortune, 4 May 2024
Wilmore and Williams are both veteran astronauts and former test pilots in the U.S. Navy.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 27 Apr. 2024
Boeing’s new Starliner capsule with test pilots is expected in late April and Sierra Space's Dream Chaser, a mini-shuttle, should arrive a month or two later.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2024
He was assigned to duty as a test pilot in Burbank, California, after three combat tours in the South Pacific.
—CBS News, 26 Mar. 2024
Boeing’s new Starliner capsule with test pilots is due in late April.
—Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024
The film follows Armstrong’s life from his days as a NASA test pilot to his role in the Gemini rocket program, and of course, his famous journey to the moon on the Apollo 11 spacecraft.
—Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'test pilot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1917, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near test pilot
Cite this Entry
“Test pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/test%20pilot. Accessed 24 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
test pilot
noun
: a pilot who puts new aircraft through tests
More from Merriam-Webster on test pilot
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for test pilot
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share