pilot
[noun]
Synonyms:
- airman, aviator, flyer
- helmsman, navigator, steersman
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- trial, experimental, model, test
[verb]
Synonyms:
- fly, conduct, direct, drive, guide, handle, navigate, operate, steer

---

Related Words: aerialist

---

English Thesaurus: plane, aircraft, jet, airliner, bomber, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. pi‧lot¹ W3 /ˈpaɪlət/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: pilote, from Italian pedota, from Greek pedon 'oar']

1. someone who operates the controls of an aircraft or spacecraft:
an airline pilot
a fighter pilot
The official report into the accident says that it was caused by pilot error (=a mistake by the pilot).

2. someone with a special knowledge of a particular area of water, who is employed to guide ships across it:
a harbour pilot

3. pilot study/project/scheme etc a small study, project etc which is carried out as a test to see if an idea, product etc will be successful:
a pilot scheme which could be extended to other areas

4. a television programme that is made in order to test whether people like it and would watch it:
a pilot for a new sitcom
⇒ automatic pilot

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. pilot² verb [transitive]

1. to guide an aircraft, spacecraft, or ship as its pilot

2. to test a new idea, product etc on people to find out whether it will be successful:
The new exams are currently being piloted in a number of areas.

3. literary to help someone to go to a place

4. British English to be responsible for making sure that a new law or plan is officially approved
pilot something through something
The Bill was piloted through Parliament by the health minister.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

pilot
noun
ADJ. experienced, professional, qualified, trained | inexperienced, trainee | airforce, RAF | private | airline, bomber, fighter, glider, helicopter, jet | aerobatic | automatic The aircraft was set on automatic pilot. (figurative) She worked on automatic pilot, her hands carrying out the necessary movements.
PILOT + VERB fly (sth) | crash (sth) | bale out, eject The pilot baled out as the aircraft crashed into the sea.
PILOT + NOUN error The air crash is thought to have been caused by pilot error.
 ⇒ Note at JOB

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

plane (also aeroplane British English), airplane American English a vehicle that flies in the air and has wings and at least one engine:
The plane took off from John F Kennedy airport.
a passenger plane carrying over 300 people
aircraft a plane or other vehicle that can fly. Aircraft sounds more formal than plane:
Smoking is not allowed on board the aircraft.
He was trained to fly military aircraft.
jet a fast plane with a jet engine:
She owns a private jet.
airliner a large plane that carries people:
a commercial airliner
bomber a plane that carries and drops bombs:
The town was attacked by US and British bombers.
fighter (plane) a small fast military plane that can destroy other planes:
The plane was shot down by enemy fighters.
He was a fighter pilot during the war.
warplane a military plane that is used for fighting in the air or for dropping bombs:
The area had been bombed by US warplanes.
pilot someone who operates the controls of a plane:
an airline pilot
He has a pilot’s licence.
co-pilot a pilot who shares the control of a plane with the main pilot:
The pilot became ill, and the co-pilot had to land the plane.
captain the pilot who is in charge of an aircraft:
This is your captain speaking. We will be arriving at Gatwick Airport in approximately 10 minutes.
the flight crew all the people who work on a plane during a flight:
The flight crew asked for permission to land at Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport.
the cabin crew the people whose job is to serve food and drinks to passengers on a plane:
The cabin crew will be serving drinks shortly.
flight attendant someone whose job is to serve food and drink to passengers on a plane:
The flight attendant told him to go back to his seat.
steward/stewardess a man/woman whose job is to serve food and drinks to passengers on a plane:
I asked the stewardess if I could have a blanket.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲