pilot

1 of 3

noun

pi·​lot ˈpī-lət 

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

2

: guide, leader

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 sense 1

pilotless

ˈpī-lət-ləs 

adjective

pilot

2 of 3

verb

piloted; piloting; pilots

transitive verb

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

pilot

3 of 3

adjective

: serving as a guiding or tracing device, an activating or auxiliary unit, or a trial apparatus or operation

a pilot study

Synonyms of pilot

Noun

• aviator

Verb

• guide
• coach
• show
• mentor

Adjective

• experimental
• developmental
• investigative

Choose the Right Synonym for pilot

guide, lead, steer, pilot, engineer mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed.

guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

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

Noun

The pilot’s mounting mysteries and climactic cliffhanger might have felt like promises of something shocking. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

In 2025, Good Work Austin, a nonprofit that advocates for restaurant workers, launched a small pilot program with Central Health to help local food workers enroll in Sendero plans and cover their premiums. — Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

As Moore piloted a research boat last month, the largest Great Lake was calm and pancake flat, its water so clear the bottom could be seen at multiple depths. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

The rocket planes tested reaction-control systems for maneuvering where the air was too thin for normal aerodynamic controls, while gathering data on heating, stability, structural loads, human performance and piloting techniques during reentry. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The result is a system that, in the long term, could carry out sub hunting autonomously, but in the short term acts as an onboard co-pilot, freeing up human operators while doubling sonobuoy processing capacity. — David Szondy august 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026

Lemmon, 31, and her co-pilot Bland, 52, were killed in the crash, along with Barker’s assistant Baker, 29, and his bodyguard Still, 25. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

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

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pilot

• automatic pilot
• bush pilot
• pilot biscuit
• pilot engine
• pilot fish
• pilot light
• pilot officer
• pilot whale
• sky pilot
• test pilot

Rhymes for pilot

• eyelet
• islet
• stylet
• autopilot

Kids Definition

pilot

1 of 3 noun

pi·​lot ˈpī-lət 

1

a

: a person who steers a ship

b

: a person qualified to guide a ship into and out of a port or in specified waters

2

: someone who provides guidance and direction : leader

3

: one who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft

4

: pilot light

pilotless

-ləs 

adjective

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