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

European test pilots completed in-flight assessments of the aircraft in Shanghai in July, according to the South China Morning Post. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

The former test pilot’s signature weapon is the power ring, an artifact forged by the Guardians of the Universe — the founders of the Corps. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Despite performing as well or better than their male counterparts, though, the Lovelace Woman in Space Program was conducted separately from NASA, and the space agency required that its astronauts be test pilots with jet time. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Bennett is a former Navy helicopter pilot and served for over a decade and also worked as a test pilot and served in the Air National Guard. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for test pilot

• autopilot
• eyelet
• islet
• stylet

Kids Definition

test pilot

noun

: a pilot who puts new aircraft through tests