autopilot
noun
au·to·pi·lot
ˈȯ-tō-ˌpī-lət 
1
: a device for automatically steering ships, aircraft, and spacecraft
also
: the automatic control provided by such a device
Examples of autopilot in a Sentence
an airplane equipped with an autopilot
The plane was flying on autopilot.
Recent Examples on the Web
To keep your savings on autopilot, set up monthly automatic contributions to your other savings accounts in addition to a split direct deposit.
—
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024
The key is having at least one recipe in your culinary back pocket that’s so dead-simple, it can be made on autopilot using just a few simple ingredients that come together with minimal effort, cook time, or dirty dishes to deal with afterwards.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024
That has limited the ability of the cabinet to make executive decisions and left the country’s institutions virtually running on autopilot.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge The iMac gets a new chip — and maybe some USB-C accessories
The iMac has been on autopilot ever since the machine received its colorful glow-up in 2021.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autopilot 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024
The key is having at least one recipe in your culinary back pocket that’s so dead-simple, it can be made on autopilot using just a few simple ingredients that come together with minimal effort, cook time, or dirty dishes to deal with afterwards.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024
That has limited the ability of the cabinet to make executive decisions and left the country’s institutions virtually running on autopilot.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge The iMac gets a new chip — and maybe some USB-C accessories
The iMac has been on autopilot ever since the machine received its colorful glow-up in 2021.
—Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autopilot
Dictionary Entries Near autopilot
Cite this Entry
“Autopilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autopilot. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
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