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

That’s usually when the shift from buying on autopilot to buying with intent happens. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

Question after question had Tiger Woods on autopilot Tuesday morning, a now 50-year-old superstar who has mastered the art of saying many words without divulging many insights. —Brody Miller, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026

The key is having at least one recipe in your culinary back pocket that’s so dead-simple, it can be made on autopilot using just a few simple ingredients that come together with minimal effort, cook time, or dirty dishes to deal with afterwards. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026

This is a long-term invitation to stop running on autopilot and start aligning your everyday life with your deeper values. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 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