autopilot
noun
au·to·pi·lot
ˈȯ-tō-ˌpī-lət 
1
: a device for automatically steering ships, aircraft, and spacecraft
also
: the automatic control provided by such a device
Examples of autopilot in a Sentence
an airplane equipped with an autopilot
The plane was flying on autopilot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pushing a large red button activates the plane’s on-board autopilot, steering the airplane to a suitable airport and making announcements to air traffic controllers.
—
Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
In the early 2000s and 2010s, the engagement ring slipped into aesthetic autopilot, with bright-white round brilliants, sugary micro pavé bands, halo settings, and princess cuts dominating the landscape.
—Malaika Crawford, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
There was no autopilot with Tony — ever.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Most shoppers don’t approach the registers and ponder the trade-offs of each queue; the choice is likely made on autopilot, psychology researchers told me.
—Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autopilot
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Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 23 Dec. 2025
In the early 2000s and 2010s, the engagement ring slipped into aesthetic autopilot, with bright-white round brilliants, sugary micro pavé bands, halo settings, and princess cuts dominating the landscape.
—Malaika Crawford, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
There was no autopilot with Tony — ever.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Most shoppers don’t approach the registers and ponder the trade-offs of each queue; the choice is likely made on autopilot, psychology researchers told me.
—Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autopilot
Cite this Entry
“Autopilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autopilot. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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