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 crash in Pennsylvania came two days after a woman in Texas died when the driver of a Tesla, allegedly on autopilot, crashed into her home. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Police are currently investigating whether the autopilot feature in any way caused the crash but confirmed that Butler was not intoxicated and is cooperating, partly by helping cops understand how Tesla’s Autopilot feature works. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026

Authorities are investigating to see whether the Tesla's autopilot system played a role in the crash, per CW39. — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

The novelty of a road trip brings us out of autopilot. — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 17 June 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