noun
Uncommon
cockpit
KOK-piht
Cockpit (noun) means the compartment in an aircraft, spacecraft, or racing car where the pilot or driver sits and controls it. Example: “The pilot ran through the checklist before takeoff from the cockpit.”
noun
1
The compartment in an aircraft, spacecraft, or racing car where the pilot or driver sits and controls it.
"The pilot ran through the checklist before takeoff from the cockpit."
"Sparks flew as the driver adjusted the dials inside the cockpit."
"Visitors to the air museum can sit in the cockpit of an old fighter plane."
2
A site of ongoing conflict or struggle, used figuratively.
"The region became a cockpit of rival empires for centuries."
"The small border town was a cockpit of rivalry between the two neighbouring kingdoms."
"For years the football pitch was a cockpit of bitter arguments between the two families."
How to use cockpit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe control area of a plane, spacecraft, or racing car, where the pilot or driver sits.
Common pairings
the cockpit crew
inside the cockpit
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like cockpit.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- cockpits
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pilot ran through the checklist before takeoff from the _____.
Etymology
Originally a pit built for staging cockfights; the sense later extended to any small enclosed control area, including a ship's or aircraft's command space.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cockpit” mean?
The word “cockpit” means the compartment in an aircraft, spacecraft, or racing car where the pilot or driver sits and controls it. In plain terms, the control area of a plane, spacecraft, or racing car, where the pilot or driver sits.
How do you pronounce “cockpit”?
“Cockpit” is pronounced KOK-piht (/ˈkɑkˌpɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cockpit” in a sentence?
Here is “cockpit” used in a sentence: “The pilot ran through the checklist before takeoff from the cockpit.”
What part of speech is “cockpit”?
“Cockpit” is a noun.
Is “cockpit” a common word?
“Cockpit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cockpit” have?
“Cockpit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the compartment in an aircraft, spacecraft, or racing car where the pilot or driver sits and controls it.
What is the difference between a cockpit and a flight deck?
Both terms describe the compartment where a pilot sits and controls an aircraft, but 'cockpit' is the more general term also used for racing cars, while 'flight deck' is typically reserved for aircraft, especially larger commercial planes. In everyday usage the two are often used interchangeably for planes.
Can 'cockpit' be used figuratively?
Yes, 'cockpit' can describe a site of ongoing conflict or struggle, used figuratively beyond its literal meaning as a control compartment. This sense highlights a place where competing forces are concentrated, much like the control point of a vehicle.
Is 'cockpit' only used for aircraft?
No, 'cockpit' also refers to the compartment in a racing car, or more generally in a spacecraft, where the driver or pilot sits and operates the controls. Its use extends to any vehicle with a similarly enclosed control area.
