cockpit

noun

cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit 

1

a

: a pit or enclosure for cockfights

b

: a place noted for especially bloody, violent, or long-continued conflict

2

obsolete : the pit of a theater

3

: a compartment in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement

4

: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (such as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven see airplane illustration

Examples of cockpit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The more interesting story, however, was happening inside the cockpit. — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The engine, gearbox, wiring loom, and dash all come from a 2017 Honda CBR500 motorbike, with the two-cylinder inline engine mounted behind the single-seat cockpit and driving the rear wheels via a prop. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026

The cockpit technology in the ride was actually created using Epic’s Unreal Engine, which allows for many assets from the ride to appear in Smugglers Gambit. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026

The single-seat cockpit also reflects the GXR-Evo’s track intent with a $9,000 racing seat, a state-of-the-art fire-suppression system, and a cooling setup that connects to the helmet. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cockpit

• cockpit voice recorder

Rhymes for cockpit

• acquit
• admit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• commit
• dalit
• dendrite
• emit
• illite
• misfit
• moonlit

Kids Definition

cockpit

noun

cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit 

: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven