autopilot

noun

au·​to·​pi·​lot ˈȯ-tō-ˌpī-lət 

1

: a device for automatically steering ships, aircraft, and spacecraft

also : the automatic control provided by such a device

2

: automatic pilot sense 2

Examples of autopilot in a Sentence

an airplane equipped with an autopilot

The plane was flying on autopilot.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many might have made that switch at first for safety, but the lifestyle appeal of that kind of autopilot has proven hard to give up. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026

The remaining 73%—Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, interest payments, and other mandatory programs—essentially runs on autopilot, growing automatically under existing law regardless of what Congress does. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

The outlet noted that cockpit distractions had resulted in the autopilot steering the aircraft toward mountainous terrain. —Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

While Tesla designs its own autopilot FSD chips, Musk’s companies have never manufactured semiconductors. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

auto- + pilot entry 1, as shortening of automatic pilot

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for autopilot

• eyelet
• islet
• pilot
• stylet