Definition of pilot
1a : one employed to steer a ship : helmsmanb : a person who is qualified and usually licensed to conduct a ship into and out of a port or in specified watersc : a person who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
3 : cowcatcher
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
6 : pilot light 1
People Are Reading
Examples of pilot in a Sentence
the airline is seeking experienced pilots to fly the new airplane
Origin and Etymology of pilot
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: 15th century
pilot
Definition of pilot
transitive verb
1 : to act as a guide to : lead or conduct over a usually difficult course
2a : to set and conn the course of pilot a shipb : to act as pilot of pilot a plane
Examples of pilot in a Sentence
He is learning how to pilot a helicopter.
He skillfully piloted the ship into port during the storm.
1649
First Known Use of pilot
1649
Synonym Discussion of pilot
pilot
Definition of pilot
: serving as a guiding or tracing device, an activating or auxiliary unit, or a trial apparatus or operation a pilot study
Examples of pilot in a Sentence
The group conducted a pilot program.
a new pilot program to train inner-city residents for jobs in the tech sector
1915
First Known Use of pilot
1915
PILOT Defined for English Language Learners
pilot
playDefinition of pilot for English Language Learners
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: a person who flies an airplane, helicopter, etc.
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: a person who steers or guides a ship into and out of a port or in dangerous waters
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: a single television show that is made as a test to see if a television series based on the show would be popular and successful
pilot
Definition of pilot for English Language Learners
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: to fly (an airplane, spacecraft, etc.)
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: to steer or guide (a ship)
pilot
Definition of pilot for English Language Learners
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: done as a test to see if a larger program, study, etc., should be done
PILOT Defined for Kids
Definition of pilot for Students
1 : a person who flies an aircraft
2 : a person who steers a ship
3 : a person especially qualified to guide ships into and out of a port or in dangerous waters
Definition of pilot for Students
piloted
;piloting
1 : to fly (an airplane)
2 : to steer or guide (a boat)
Learn More about pilot
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See words that rhyme with pilot Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pilot Spanish Central: Translation of pilot Nglish: Translation of pilot for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pilot for Arabic speakers
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