autopilot

noun

au·​to·​pi·​lot ˈȯ-tō-ˌpī-lət How to pronounce autopilot (audio)
1
: a device for automatically steering ships, aircraft, and spacecraft
also : the automatic control provided by such a device
2

Examples of autopilot in a Sentence

an airplane equipped with an autopilot The plane was flying on autopilot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What Tech Pros Need to Remember If your income fluctuates, your taxes don’t run on autopilot. Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 20 May 2025 The aircraft continued to fly in a stable manner due to autopilot being active, however the copilot did operate controls unintentionally, the report said. Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 19 May 2025 Putting games and aircraft on autopilot is usually only a very brief respite from what’s coming next. David Aldridge, New York Times, 16 May 2025 The sweet spot lies in building something that earns money on autopilot or with minimal ongoing input. Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for autopilot

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of autopilot was in 1917

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Autopilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autopilot. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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