pilot — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A person who steers a ship, a helmsman.

   Examples

   They scud before the wind, and sail in open sea. Ahead of all the master pilot steers; And, as he leads, the following navy veers.

2. A person who knows well the depths, shoals, and currents of a harbor or coastal area, who is hired by a vessel to help navigate the harbor or coast.

3. A guide book for maritime navigation.

4. An instrument for detecting the compass error.

5. A pilot vehicle.

   Usage

   • Australia
   • Informal

6. A person authorised to drive such a vehicle during an escort.

   Usage

   • Australia

7. A guide or escort through an unknown or dangerous area.

   Examples

   So we mounted our horses, and put out for that town, under the direction of two friendly Creeks we had taken for pilots.

8. Something serving as a test or trial.

   Examples

   We would like to run a pilot in your facility before rolling out the program citywide.

   “I agreed with my husband when he said that to do the business properly we must do a pilot first.”

9. Something serving as a test or trial. The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.

10. A tone or signal, usually a single frequency, transmitted over a communications system for control or synchronization purposes.

    Usage

    • attributive
    • often

11. A person who is in charge of the controls of an aircraft.

    Synonyms

    airmanairperson

12. A sample episode of a proposed TV series produced to decide if it should be made or not. If approved, typically the first episode of an actual TV series.

    Examples

    More examples (1)

    I think her biggest deal was she starred in a pilot.[…]Well, the way they pick TV shows is they make one show. That show's called a pilot. Then they show that one show to the people who pick shows, and on the strength of that one show, they decide if they wanna make more shows.

13. A cowcatcher.

14. A racing driver.

    Usage

    • Europe

15. A pilot light.

16. One who flies a kite.

    Examples

    Julia has become quite a good kite pilot. She has learned how to repeatedly buzz her father's head, coming within two feet, and not hitting him.

17. A short plug, sometimes made interchangeable, at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool.

Adjective

1. Made or used as a test or demonstration of capability.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   a pilot run of the new factory

   The pilot plant showed the need for major process changes.

2. Used to control or activate another device.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   a pilot light

3. Being a vehicle to warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle or combination.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   a pilot vehicle

Verb

1. To control (an aircraft or watercraft).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   I have visited more than half a dozen carrier training facilities, spent over 150 hours on jumpseats, piloted a Lockheed 1011 from MIA to LAX, visited numerous towers, rapcons, and centers, and discussed our commercial Air Transport System with everyone involved.

2. To guide (a vessel) through coastal waters.

   Usage

   • Transitive

3. To test or have a preliminary trial of (an idea, a new product, television show, etc.)

   Usage

   • Transitive

4. To serve as the leading locomotive on a double-headed train.

   Usage

   • of a locomotive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   One of the Midland Lines' Birmingham R.C.W. Type 2 diesels, No. D5403, made the debut of its class in the Manchester area on July 28 when it appeared in the early hours on freight; after four days in the area it left for the south piloting B.R./Sulzer Type 4 diesel No. D88 on the 2.25 Manchester Central-St. Pancras.

5. To guide or conduct (a person) somewhere.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Thus it came about that, three days later, I descended from the train at Styles St. Mary, an absurd little station, with no apparent reason for existence, perched up in the midst of green fields and country lanes. John Cavendish was waiting on the platform, and piloted me out to the car.

Noun

1. someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight

   Synonyms

   airplane pilot

   Broader terms

   aviatoraeronautflierflyer

2. a person qualified to guide ships through difficult waters going into or out of a harbor

   Broader terms

   marinerseamantarJack-tarJackold saltseafarergobsea dog

3. a program exemplifying a contemplated series; intended to attract sponsors

   Synonyms

   pilot programpilot film

   Broader terms

   television programTV programtelevision showTV show

4. something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies

   Synonyms

   originalarchetype

   Broader terms

   modelexample

   Examples

   this painting is a copy of the original

5. small auxiliary gas burner that provides a flame to ignite a larger gas burner

   Synonyms

   pilot burnerpilot light

   Broader terms

   gas burnergas jet

6. an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track

   Synonyms

   fenderbuffercowcatcher

   Broader terms

   frameworkframe

Verb

1. operate an airplane

   Synonyms

   flyaviate

   Broader terms

   operatecontrol

   Examples

   The pilot flew to Cuba

2. act as the navigator in a car, plane, or vessel and plan, direct, plot the path and position of the conveyance

   Synonyms

   navigate

   Broader terms

   steermaneuvermanoeuvermanoeuvredirectpointheadguidechannelizechannelise

   Examples

   Is anyone volunteering to navigate during the trip?

   Who was navigating the ship during the accident?