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pilot definition

pi·lot (pī′lət)

noun

    1. Archaic helmsman
    2. a person licensed to direct ships into or out of a harbor or through difficult waters
  2. a person qualified to operate the controls of an aircraft or spacecraft
  3. a guide; leader
  4. a device that guides the action of a machine or machine part
  5. ☆ a metal frame on the front of a locomotive, to remove obstructions from the track
    1. pilot light (sense )
    2. pilot film

Etymology: MFr pilote < It pilota, pedoto < MGr *pēdōtēs < Gr pēdon, oar blade (in pl., rudder), akin to pous, foot

transitive verb

  1. to act as a pilot of, on, in, or over
  2. to guide; conduct; lead

adjective

  1. that serves as a guide or guiding device
  2. that serves as an activating device
  3. that serves as a trial unit for experimentation or testing

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pilot Synonyms

pilot

n.

  1. Flier

    aviator, airman, fighter pilot, commercial pilot, bomber pilot, automatic pilot, mechanical pilot, aeronaut, aerial navigator, navigator, aerialist, jet jockey*, birdman*; see also aviator.

  2. One who conducts ships

    helmsman, steersman, navigator, man at the wheel, man at the controls, wheelman, coxswain.

  3. Guide

    scout, leader, director; see guide 1.


pilot

v.

guide, conduct, steer, manage; see lead 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pilot Usage Examples

Possessives

  • license: Ray learned to fly gliders at Usworth Aerodrome some time later and gained his glider pilot's license at the age of 16.

Converse of object

  • qualify: FLYING AT STEYNING The after school Club is now available for our newly qualified Pilots.

Adjective modifier

  • experienced: For the low experienced pilot this allows greater freedom for error.

Modifies a noun

  • scheme: The national rollout of NUS Extra follows a pilot scheme carried out in 13 unions in the North West during 2005/06.

Noun used with modifier

  • fighter: During World War II, the demands changed due to burn often suffered by fighter pilots.
pilot usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

pilot quotes

Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.

-Tennyson

pilot quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"pilot." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/pilot>

APA Style

pilot. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/pilot

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