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
3
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
piloted; piloting; pilots
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
: serving as a guiding or tracing device, an activating or auxiliary unit, or a trial apparatus or operation
a pilot study
Synonyms
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
Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
In Russia’s war on Ukraine, both sides are making deadly use of small, inexpensive quadcopters loaded with explosives that are crashed into targets by pilots using first-person view goggles.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Megan Poinski, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The mission was piloted by NASA astronaut Nick Hague, who became the first active U.S. Space Force Guardian to launch into space since the branch's establishment in 2019.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 25 Apr. 2024
One bedroom, located in the cockpit, replicates the in-flight experience characterizing pilot and co-pilot chairs facing a front window, according to the listing.
—Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pilot 
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Noun
California Emergency evacuation alert sent in error to large number of Los Angeles residents
1 hour ago
Drone pilots can apply for waivers to fly in the restricted airspace, but the FAA said no such waivers had been granted as of Thursday afternoon.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
In Russia’s war on Ukraine, both sides are making deadly use of small, inexpensive quadcopters loaded with explosives that are crashed into targets by pilots using first-person view goggles.
—Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Many of them are piloting it in some way, shape or form across specific projects.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The mission was piloted by NASA astronaut Nick Hague, who became the first active U.S. Space Force Guardian to launch into space since the branch's establishment in 2019.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The pilot episode of Martin's new TV show on Outdoor Channel centers around his journey to becoming a master of West Tennessee whole hog barbecue, a technique enduring among only a few pitmasters in the state.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 25 Apr. 2024
One bedroom, located in the cockpit, replicates the in-flight experience characterizing pilot and co-pilot chairs facing a front window, according to the listing.
—Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pilot
Articles Related to pilot
Dictionary Entries Near pilot
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilot. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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