cockpit

noun

cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit 

1

a

: a pit or enclosure for cockfights

b

: a place noted for especially bloody, violent, or long-continued conflict

2

obsolete : the pit of a theater

3

: a compartment in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement

4

: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (such as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven see airplane illustration

Examples of cockpit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The testing was being done on the same spectrum that the Traffic Collision Avoidance System in the cockpit uses. —Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2025

What Is The Acura NSX Like Inside? Interior styling is said to have taken inspiration from the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet. —Trinity Francis, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Key features: Four minifigures including Ahsoka Tano and Sabine Wren, adjustable wings, opening cockpit, stud shooters, a weapons and tools compartment and 599 pieces in total. —Alexander Cox, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Following the string of recent aviation incidents that has been alarming travelers, a Delta Air Lines captain recently walked out of the cockpit to reassure passengers. —Lilit Marcus, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cockpit

• cockpit voice recorder

Rhymes for cockpit

• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• commit
• dalit
• dendrite
• emit
• illite
• misfit

Kids Definition

cockpit

noun

cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit 

: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven