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

2

: automatic pilot sense 2

Examples of autopilot in a Sentence

an airplane equipped with an autopilot

The plane was flying on autopilot.

Recent Examples on the Web

The autopilot remains available, and Boeing says pilots are trained to fly the aircraft safely without VNAV. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

At the time of the incident, the Tesla vehicle was not in autopilot mode, while a CHP officer told the Los Angeles Times it was believed to be an accident with no signs of foul play. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

At the time of the crash, the Tesla was not on autopilot mode, according to the CHP report. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Turn Customer Success Into Advocacy Strong relationships start by treating customers as partners, not accounts on autopilot. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

auto- + pilot entry 1, as shortening of automatic pilot

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for autopilot

• eyelet
• islet
• pilot
• stylet