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View synonyms for

pilot

[ pahy-luht ]

noun

  1. a person duly qualified to steer ships into or out of a harbor or through certain difficult waters.
  2. a person who steers a ship.

    Synonyms:

  3. Aeronautics. a person duly qualified to operate an airplane, balloon, or other aircraft.
  4. a guide or leader:

    the pilot of the expedition.

  5. Machinery. a guide for centering or otherwise positioning two adjacent parts, often consisting of a projection on one part fitting into a recess in the other.
  6. Railroads. cowcatcher.
  7. Also called pi·lot film [pahy, -l, uh, t film],. Television. a prototypical filmed or taped feature, produced with hopes of network adoption as a television series and aired to test potential viewer interest and attract sponsors.
  8. a preliminary or experimental trial or test:

    The school will offer a pilot of its new computer course.



verb (used with object)

  1. to steer.
  2. to lead, guide, or conduct, as through unknown places, intricate affairs, etc.
  3. to act as pilot on, in, or over.

    Synonyms: ,

  4. to be in charge of or responsible for:

    We're looking for someone to pilot the new project.

adjective

  1. serving as an experimental or trial undertaking prior to full-scale operation or use:

    a pilot project.

pilot

/ ˈ貹ɪə /

noun

    1. a person who is qualified to operate an aircraft or spacecraft in flight
    2. ( as modifier )

      pilot error

    1. a person who is qualified to steer or guide a ship into or out of a port, river mouth, etc
    2. ( as modifier )

      a pilot ship

  1. a person who steers a ship
  2. a person who acts as a leader or guide
  3. machinery a guide, often consisting of a tongue or dowel, used to assist in joining two mating parts together
  4. machinery a plug gauge for measuring an internal diameter
  5. films a colour test strip accompanying black-and-white rushes from colour originals
  6. an experimental programme on radio or television
  7. modifier used in or serving as a test or trial

    a pilot project

  8. modifier serving as a guide

    a pilot beacon

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to act as pilot of
  2. to control the course of
  3. to guide or lead (a project, people, etc)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ܲ·辱·dz· adjective
  • ɱ-辱·dz· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pilot1

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier pylotte, from Middle French pillotte, from Italian pilota, dissimilated variant of pedota, from unattested Medieval Greek ŧṓtŧ “steersman,” equivalent to ŧ(á) “rudder” (plural of ŧó “oar”) + -ōŧ agent suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pilot1

C16: from French pilote, from Medieval Latin pilotus, ultimately from Greek ŧDz oar; related to Greek pous foot
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The officers who died were three pilots, one engineer and two mechanics, police confirmed.

From

He’s not piloting these days, but almost daily he’ll sit in his office and get behind a simulator to operate digital planes or helicopters.

From

It seems like ancient history now, but once upon a time, there was a little backdoor pilot that dreamed of growing up to be a full-fledged reality television spectacle.

From

The export of video game controllers from the UK to Russia has been banned as they can be repurposed to pilot drones used to launch attacks on Ukraine.

From

Pakistan responded with air raids, leading to a dogfight and the brief capture of an Indian pilot.

From

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pilosepilotage