Definitions

pilot

[pahy-luht] / ˈpaɪ lət /

NOUN

person who guides aircraft, ship, or other vehicle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aviator captain flier leader navigator

STRONG

ace aerialist aeronaut bellwether conductor coxswain dean director eagle flyer guide jockey lead scout steerer

WEAK

doyen/doyenne helmsperson one at the controls one at the wheel steersperson wheelperson

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The next day, the Artemis II crew heard a message from Jim Lovell, the pilot of the first manned spaceflight to orbit the moon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

In one clip, the Iranian military is shown capturing a downed US fighter-jet pilot.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Commercial planes are in the skies at the same time as Israeli military aircraft, including drones, but they travel along different air corridors, an MEA pilot told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

“Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special,” Artemis II pilot and SoCal native Victor Glover said on Easter while on his way to the moon.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“No kids are down there, that’s for sure,” the pilot said as he headed the helicopter west, following the river.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

Vocabulary lists containing pilot

May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Words

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This Week in Words: September 1 - 7, 2018

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Occupations

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