cockpit
cockpit Lexical Profile
cockpit Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The forward compartment in an aircraft or spacecraft where the pilot and flight crew sit to operate the vehicle.
"The captain initiated the pre-flight safety checks as soon as she entered the cockpit."
The driver's compartment in a racing car, or the open space in the deck of a small boat where the helmsman sits.
"The sailor adjusted the yacht's rigging from the safety of the cockpit before the storm intensified."
An enclosed pit or arena historically used for the blood sport of cockfighting.
"In the sixteenth century, enthusiastic crowds would gather around the wooden cockpit to place wagers."
• Rhymes for cockpit
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in the late 16th century to describe an enclosed pit used for cockfighting. By the 18th century, the term was adopted by the Royal Navy to denote the area near the stern where the coxswain sat, and in the early 20th century it was transferred to the pilot's compartment in an airplane.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.