pilot light
noun
1
: a small permanent flame used to ignite gas at a burner
2
: an indicator light showing where a switch or circuit breaker is located or whether a motor is in operation or power is on
called also pilot lamp
Examples of pilot light in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Legends keep them in the soul, a pilot light for payback.
—
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Feb. 2024
The rarest pilot lights burn hottest when the nights bring their darkest and coldest.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Feb. 2024
Finally, an acetylene torch was needed to light the pilot light.
—Larry Printz, Ars Technica, 4 Oct. 2023
Many of the best propane heaters feature oxygen depletion sensors that will shut the unit off as soon as oxygen levels in the room are too low, or if the pilot light goes out.
—Andrew Waite, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
Two years of research had given Michelle a sense of the anger that some families still harbored, burning as steadily as a pilot light.
—Ellen Barry Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Turn off the Gas and Disassemble Switch off the pilot light and the gas valve and wait for the fireplace to cool down completely before cleaning.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2023
The bond market is a little like the pilot light on your furnace.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Oct. 2023
The utility advised residents not to relight the pilot light themselves, saying employees will leave a callback number if someone isn’t home when workers visit.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2023
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Feb. 2024
The rarest pilot lights burn hottest when the nights bring their darkest and coldest.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 14 Feb. 2024
Finally, an acetylene torch was needed to light the pilot light.
—Larry Printz, Ars Technica, 4 Oct. 2023
Many of the best propane heaters feature oxygen depletion sensors that will shut the unit off as soon as oxygen levels in the room are too low, or if the pilot light goes out.
—Andrew Waite, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
Two years of research had given Michelle a sense of the anger that some families still harbored, burning as steadily as a pilot light.
—Ellen Barry Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Turn off the Gas and Disassemble Switch off the pilot light and the gas valve and wait for the fireplace to cool down completely before cleaning.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2023
The bond market is a little like the pilot light on your furnace.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 5 Oct. 2023
The utility advised residents not to relight the pilot light themselves, saying employees will leave a callback number if someone isn’t home when workers visit.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pilot light.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pilot light
Cite this Entry
“Pilot light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilot%20light. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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