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
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
Ted Reed, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The foundation is currently operating its own pilot programs as well as ongoing initiatives with a range of partners, including LVMH and Harlem’s Fashion Row, the Royal College of Arts and the Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship Fund, administered by the Fashion Scholarship Fund.
—Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 26 Feb. 2025
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2025
Disney Branded Television ordered the show to pilot in January (as first reported by Variety), with Alina Mankin serving as writer and executive producer and Liz Phang serving as showrunner and executive producer.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 20 Feb. 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
The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the crash was due primarily to the pilots’ inappropriate response to stall warnings.
—Verb
Paul McCartney will reflect on his time piloting Wings in an upcoming book that focuses on his post-Beatles band.
—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.
—Articles Related to pilot
Cite this Entry
“Pilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilot. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Kids 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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