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
The captain was manually flying the plane and was not using autopilot.
—
Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 4 June 2026
This test helped validate the performance of the missile’s airframe, propulsion, navigation, and autopilot subsystems.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
Over time, that routine puts us on autopilot.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026
Even a small change to a pre-established part of your schedule — like having breakfast outside instead of at the table — can break couples out of flying on autopilot.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for autopilot
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 4 June 2026
This test helped validate the performance of the missile’s airframe, propulsion, navigation, and autopilot subsystems.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
Over time, that routine puts us on autopilot.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026
Even a small change to a pre-established part of your schedule — like having breakfast outside instead of at the table — can break couples out of flying on autopilot.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
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 Jun. 2026.
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