pilot
pilot Lexical Profile
pilot Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who is qualified to operate the flying controls of an aircraft or spacecraft.
"The airline pilot announced that we would be landing in fifteen minutes."
A standalone trial episode of a proposed television or radio series produced to test audience reaction and sell the show to a network.
"After watching the pilot, the network executives decided to order a full season of the comedy series."
A maritime navigator with specialized local knowledge qualified to steer ships into or out of a harbor or through dangerous waters.
"A harbor pilot boarded the cargo vessel to guide it safely through the narrow channel."
A small, continuously burning gas flame that ignites a larger burner in a stove, furnace, or water heater.
"The furnace stopped producing heat because a draft blew out the pilot."
• verb
To operate and control the course of an aircraft, spacecraft, or ship.
"She was the first woman to pilot a solar-powered aircraft across the continent."
To test a new scheme, project, or product on a small scale before introducing it more widely.
"The hospital plans to pilot the digital check-in system in two clinics before rolling it out nationwide."
To guide, lead, or manage a person, organization, or piece of legislation through a complex process.
"The committee chair worked tirelessly to pilot the environmental bill through parliament."
• adjective
Done as a preliminary experiment, trial, or model before introducing a wider project, system, or product.
"The school district launched a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of the new math curriculum."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 16th century from Middle French 'pilote', from Italian 'pilota' (a maritime navigator), which likely derived from Medieval Greek 'pedotes' (steersman), from 'pedon' meaning 'steering oar' or 'rudder'.