pilot

pi|lot¹ W3 [ˈpaılət] n

[Date: 1500-1600; : 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

pilot ²

pilot² v [T]

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.) BrE to be responsible for making sure that a new law or plan is officially approved

pilot sth through sth

▪ The Bill was piloted through Parliament by the health minister.