pilot

I UK [ˈpaɪlət] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "pilot":
singular pilot plural pilots
***

1) someone who flies an aircraft

He's training to be an airline pilot.

2) someone who leads a ship through a difficult or dangerous area of water

3) a television programme that is broadcast to find out if people would enjoy a whole series

•

See:

automatic pilot

II UK [ˈpaɪlət] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "pilot":
present tense I/you/we/they pilot he/she/it pilots present participle piloting past tense piloted past participle piloted

1)

a) to fly an aircraft

b) to lead a ship through a difficult or dangerous area of water

2) to try something with a small group of people to find out if it would be successful or popular

The programme will initially be piloted in four schools.

3) mainly journalism to make sure that something such as a new law is introduced or accepted

In 1980, he piloted the Wildlife and Countryside Bill through the House of Commons.

4) to give someone advice or instructions that help them to do something

Our advisers are here to pilot members through the new procedure.

III UK [ˈpaɪlət] / US adjective [only before noun]

done in one place or with only a few people in order to find out if something will be successful or popular

a pilot study/project