1
a
: one employed to steer a ship : helmsman
b
: a person who is qualified and usually licensed to conduct a ship into and out of a port or in specified waters
c
: a person who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
3
4
: a piece that guides a tool or machine part
5
: a television show produced and filmed or taped as a sample of a proposed series
piloted; piloting; pilots
1
: to act as a guide to : lead or conduct over a usually difficult course
2
a
: to set and conn the course of
pilot a ship
b
: to act as pilot of
pilot a plane
: serving as a guiding or tracing device, an activating or auxiliary unit, or a trial apparatus or operation
a pilot study
Synonyms
Examples of pilot in a Sentence
Noun
the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane
Verb
He is learning how to pilot a helicopter.
He skillfully piloted the ship into port during the storm.
Adjective
The group conducted a pilot program.
a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector
Recent Examples on the Web
Stepheny Price, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2023
In the videos, two IDF pilots discuss whether or not to strike.
—Anna Schecter, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023
Many carriers do not charge pilots for this training.
—Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
Most pilots will give passengers a weather rundown before takeoff, so listen up to any announcements being made over the PA while boarding.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
The pilot was the only person on board the six-seater and died before he could be taken to a hospital.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
However, authorities have not publicly confirmed the pilot’s identity.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Hikari directed and executive produced the pilot and two other episodes of the show, which earned 13 Emmy nominations earlier this year.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2023
Jon Steinberg co-wrote the pilot with Riordan, and James Bobin directed it.
—Jaden Thompson, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023
On May 10, Allen, 65, was piloting a single-engine Cessna 208 aircraft nearly 12,000 ft.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 27 Oct. 2023
Each drone will be operated by two people, one to pilot the device and another who will operate the gimbal on the drone, looking for the best shot and angle.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023
Metro has started piloting train doors that open without human intervention as part of a broader plan to return automatic train operations (ATO) systemwide next year.
—Justin George, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2023
The aircraft is fully autonomous, whereas most other air taxis on the market will be piloted.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2023
The American Ornithological Society plans to pilot a renaming program next year, starting with around 10 birds.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Child-friendly rides put the little ones behind the wheel piloting boats and driving cars on attractions like Coast Guard Academy, Aquazone Wave Racers, and Duplo Tractor.
—Carlye Wisel, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2023
Australian lithium developer Lake Resources is now piloting Lilac’s technology at two remote project sites, and Ford has signed a deal to buy 25,000 metric tons of lithium a year from one of these projects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2023
Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023
Both Macdonald and Hsu were eyed for the pilot role that went to Polanco, but they were cast in later episodes.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2023
In a YouTube reaction video to the pilot episode of Sister Wives, the 21-year-old reality star called out the role her dad played in their family in response to Kody's now-ex Meri Brown discussing the advantages of a polygamous lifestyle.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 1 May 2023
Each serving has 35% protein to keep your canine co-pilot active and robust.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
This is the minimalist path Google, with its experimental store in New York, Amazon and its pilot retail outlets, and now Meta are attempting to replicate.
—Adario Strange, Quartz, 26 Apr. 2022
Carly helps a perfectionist chef with stage fright reopen his family’s diner, all for the pilot episode of her television show.
—Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 25 Dec. 2022
Three and a half years ago, San Francisco started a pilot program to compel more people into treatment who met certain strict criteria.
—Mallory Moench, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2023
One of those is a pilot program that would incentivize adults receiving unemployment benefits to earn their high school diploma by awarding them up to $4,000 for completing a diploma or equivalency program.
—Arika Herron, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Jan. 2023
See More
Noun
Officials confirmed that the pilot was the only person on board the plane.
FATAL SD PLANE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE, REPORT SAYS
(KDFW)
Aerial footage from the scene shows a nearby van was damaged in the crash.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2023
In the videos, two IDF pilots discuss whether or not to strike.
—Anna Schecter, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023
Many carriers do not charge pilots for this training.
—Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
Most pilots will give passengers a weather rundown before takeoff, so listen up to any announcements being made over the PA while boarding.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
The pilot was the only person on board the six-seater and died before he could be taken to a hospital.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Nov. 2023
However, authorities have not publicly confirmed the pilot’s identity.
—Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Hikari directed and executive produced the pilot and two other episodes of the show, which earned 13 Emmy nominations earlier this year.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2023
Jon Steinberg co-wrote the pilot with Riordan, and James Bobin directed it.
—Jaden Thompson, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
Verb
The opera implies that old-fashioned fighter piloting is nobler, and better for soldiers’ mental health, than the video-game-style drone deployment that has expanded the battlefield to encompass, potentially, all of us.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2023
On May 10, Allen, 65, was piloting a single-engine Cessna 208 aircraft nearly 12,000 ft.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 27 Oct. 2023
Each drone will be operated by two people, one to pilot the device and another who will operate the gimbal on the drone, looking for the best shot and angle.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023
Metro has started piloting train doors that open without human intervention as part of a broader plan to return automatic train operations (ATO) systemwide next year.
—Justin George, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2023
The aircraft is fully autonomous, whereas most other air taxis on the market will be piloted.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2023
The American Ornithological Society plans to pilot a renaming program next year, starting with around 10 birds.
—Katrina Miller, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Child-friendly rides put the little ones behind the wheel piloting boats and driving cars on attractions like Coast Guard Academy, Aquazone Wave Racers, and Duplo Tractor.
—Carlye Wisel, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2023
Australian lithium developer Lake Resources is now piloting Lilac’s technology at two remote project sites, and Ford has signed a deal to buy 25,000 metric tons of lithium a year from one of these projects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2023
Adjective
The helicopters typically have a crew of two: a pilot and a co-pilot gunner, according to the U.S. Army.
—Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023
Both Macdonald and Hsu were eyed for the pilot role that went to Polanco, but they were cast in later episodes.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2023
In a YouTube reaction video to the pilot episode of Sister Wives, the 21-year-old reality star called out the role her dad played in their family in response to Kody's now-ex Meri Brown discussing the advantages of a polygamous lifestyle.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 1 May 2023
Each serving has 35% protein to keep your canine co-pilot active and robust.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
This is the minimalist path Google, with its experimental store in New York, Amazon and its pilot retail outlets, and now Meta are attempting to replicate.
—Adario Strange, Quartz, 26 Apr. 2022
Carly helps a perfectionist chef with stage fright reopen his family’s diner, all for the pilot episode of her television show.
—Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 25 Dec. 2022
Three and a half years ago, San Francisco started a pilot program to compel more people into treatment who met certain strict criteria.
—Mallory Moench, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2023
One of those is a pilot program that would incentivize adults receiving unemployment benefits to earn their high school diploma by awarding them up to $4,000 for completing a diploma or equivalency program.
—Arika Herron, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pilot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle French pilote, from Italian pilota, alteration of pedota, from Middle Greek *pēdōtēs, from Greek pēda steering oars, plural of pēdon oar; probably akin to Greek pod-, pous foot — more at foot
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1915, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of pilot was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing pilot
Articles Related to pilot
Dictionary Entries Near pilot
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilot. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
pilot
2 of 3 verb
: to act as pilot of : guide
pilot
3 of 3 adjective
: serving as a guiding or tracing device, as an activating or auxiliary unit, or to test a new invention or idea
a pilot study
More from Merriam-Webster on pilot
Nglish: Translation of pilot for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pilot for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share