Pilot: meaning, definitions and examples

This term refers to someone who operates an aircraft. It is the most commonly used word for the person responsible for flying planes, helicopters, and other airborne vehicles.

• The pilot guided the plane safely through turbulent weather.
• She trained for years to become a commercial airline pilot.

This word is often used to refer to pilots in a more formal or historical context. It can imply a sense of adventure and is sometimes associated with the early days of aviation.

• The aviator wore classic goggles and a leather jacket.
• Charles Lindbergh was a famous aviator who made the first solo transatlantic flight.

This informal term is often used to describe someone who flies planes, but it can also refer to someone who frequently travels by air. It has a casual tone and is less common in professional settings.

• The young flyer aspired to one day pilot a commercial jet.
• Frequent flyers can earn rewards for their travels.

While this term is generally used for someone in charge of a ship, it can also refer to the pilot in command of an aircraft. It's used formally in airlines or military contexts.

• The captain announced that we would be landing shortly.
• She was promoted to captain after years of service in the Air Force.

Commonly used in the entertainment industry to refer to the first episode of a TV series that is produced as a test. It determines whether a show will be picked up for a full series.

• We watched the pilot of that new comedy show last night
• The pilot episode received great reviews from the audience

Used to describe the first episode of a series that serves to introduce characters, settings, and the main plot. It doesn't necessarily indicate it is a test but focuses on presenting the show's basics.

• The introductory episode gave a great overview of the main character's background
• In the introductory episode, we met the entire cast

Typically used to highlight the trial nature of an episode created to gauge audience reaction before committing to more episodes. It emphasizes the experimental nature.

• They produced a test episode to see if the concept would work on TV
• The network aired the test episode to measure viewer interest

When you are starting something new on a small scale to see how it works before launching it fully. Usually used for projects, programs, or initiatives.

• The company ran a pilot program in one city before expanding it nationwide
• The pilot episode of the series was a big hit

Often used in legal, medical, or clinical research contexts to describe a formal testing process to evaluate effectiveness, performance, or safety. Also used for trying out something new to see how well it works.

• The vaccine is currently in clinical trials
• They decided to trial the new schedule for a month to see if it improved productivity

Used in a more general sense to describe evaluating something by putting it through certain conditions or challenges to see its performance or quality. Frequently used in academic, technical, and everyday settings.

• The students have a math test tomorrow
• The new software needs to be tested before it goes live

This word is best used in scientific or controlled settings where variables are tested to discover new information or to prove a hypothesis.

• The scientists are conducting an experiment to test the new drug's effectiveness
• Her science fair experiment involved growing plants under different conditions