autopilot

noun

au·​to·​pi·​lot ˈȯ-tō-ˌpī-lət How to pronounce autopilot (audio)
1
: a device for automatically steering ships, aircraft, and spacecraft
also : the automatic control provided by such a device
2

Examples of autopilot in a Sentence

an airplane equipped with an autopilot The plane was flying on autopilot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lyrics that would normally slip through me on autopilot were now barbed and heavy. Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025 With Amen Corner in the rearview, Scheffler was on autopilot. Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 In other words, intimacy fades not because something is wrong, but because it’s left on autopilot. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Molly thinks to herself during the premiere, not-speaking her disdain for politeness on autopilot into existence. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for autopilot

Word History

Etymology

auto- + pilot entry 1, as shortening of automatic pilot

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of autopilot was in 1917

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Autopilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autopilot. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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