noun
pilot
PEYE-luht
noun
1
A person who operates the controls of an aircraft.
"The pilot announced a smooth descent into Heathrow."
2
A person who guides ships through a difficult or unfamiliar stretch of water, such as a harbour.
"A local pilot boarded the tanker to guide it into port."
3
A trial episode produced to test whether a TV series should be made.
"The network ordered a full season after the pilot tested well with audiences."
verb
1
To fly or steer a vehicle, or to test something out before a full rollout.
"She has piloted small planes since she was eighteen."
"The company piloted the new software with one department first."
How to Use Pilot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who flies planes or steers ships, a trial run of something (like a TV episode or programme), or the verb meaning to steer or test.
Common pairings
airline pilot
pilot episode
pilot a scheme
pilot light
Word Forms
piloted past tense, pilots plural, pilots singular
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Etymology
From French pilot, ultimately traced to an Ancient Greek word for the blade of an oar — the same root behind "rudder"-related words in Greek.