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.

Besides the pilot programs in Florida and Georgia, the company says some parents in Houston are interested in getting the drones set up in their kids' schools.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

At the BBC Comedy Festival in Liverpool, Corden said the romantic proposal at the end of the pilot had backed the writers "into a corner".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

What followed was an hours-long ordeal on a life raft, as the pilot and the passengers waited for rescuers to find them.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Dallin, a World War I pilot, pioneered aerial photography, capturing over 10,000 images including cityscapes and golf courses.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Barry could see the pilot, a young man, through the windshield.

From "I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis

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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