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.

Novo Nordisk, which is best known for its work on insulin and bringing to market the game-changing GLP-1 medicines Ozempic and Wegovy, said it will launch pilot programs this year.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

The pilot program is running in five cities, including San Francisco, and has already identified 500 potholes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Last year, McDonald’s announced a broader pilot across 500 U.S. restaurants to test a range of new beverages including cold coffees, fruity refreshers, crafted sodas, and energy drinks.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The design of the school, which already had separate areas for the youngest pupils, "lent itself really well to a pilot", added head teacher Jason Hicks.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“Any daredevil plans?” the pilot joked as he started the engine.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

Vocabulary lists containing pilot

May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Words

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

This Week in Words: September 1 - 7, 2018

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Occupations

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!