autopilot
AW-toh-peye-luht
Autopilot (noun) means a system that automatically steers a vehicle, aircraft, or ship without a person actively controlling it. Example: “The pilot switched to autopilot once the plane reached cruising altitude.”
noun
1
A system that automatically steers a vehicle, aircraft, or ship without a person actively controlling it.
"The pilot switched to autopilot once the plane reached cruising altitude."
2
A mental state of doing something automatically, without actively thinking about it.
"By the third hour of the commute, she was driving on autopilot."
How to use autopilot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (a system or a person) running on its own, without conscious steering.
Common pairings
on autopilot
switch to autopilot
engage the autopilot
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Word forms
- Plural
- autopilots
- Third person singular
- autopilots
- Past tense
- autopiloted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pilot switched to _____ once the plane reached cruising altitude.
Etymology
A blend of auto- ("self") and pilot, coined for the mechanical device that steers a craft without a human at the controls.
Synonyms
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robot pilot
automatic pilot
Rhymes for autopilot
See all rhymes for autopilot →Frequently asked questions
What does “autopilot” mean?
The word “autopilot” means a system that automatically steers a vehicle, aircraft, or ship without a person actively controlling it. In plain terms, something (a system or a person) running on its own, without conscious steering.
How do you pronounce “autopilot”?
“Autopilot” is pronounced AW-toh-peye-luht (/ˈɔtoʊˌpaɪlət/ in IPA).
How do you use “autopilot” in a sentence?
Here is “autopilot” used in a sentence: “The pilot switched to autopilot once the plane reached cruising altitude.”
What part of speech is “autopilot”?
“Autopilot” is a noun.
Is “autopilot” a common word?
“Autopilot” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “autopilot” have?
“Autopilot” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system that automatically steers a vehicle, aircraft, or ship without a person actively controlling it.
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