cockpit

noun

cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit 

1

a

: a pit or enclosure for cockfights

b

: a place noted for especially bloody, violent, or long-continued conflict

2

obsolete : the pit of a theater

3

: a compartment in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement

4

: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (such as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven see airplane illustration

Examples of cockpit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the cockpit, Joe has written out inspirational messages and instructions for her and Cooper. — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

That flexibility could prove important as the Army introduces new mission equipment and updates cockpit systems over the Chinook’s service life. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Top down with the windows raised and the quirky wind deflector deployed, the cockpit is a wonderful place to be, and one that’s almost completely devoid of turbulence—even at near triple-digit speeds. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026

This year, the company lit Chinese social media on fire by launching GD01, an over 3-meter tall, transformable robot that can carry a human pilot in its cockpit—priced from $650,000. — Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cockpit

• cockpit voice recorder

Rhymes for cockpit

• acquit
• admit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• commit
• dalit
• dendrite
• emit
• illite
• misfit
• moonlit

Kids Definition

cockpit

noun

cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit 

: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven