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Definition of pilot : 1. A heavy wheel, or cross arms with weights at the ends on a revolving axis, to regulate or equalize the motion of machinery by means of its inertia, where the power communicated, or the resistance to be overcome, is variable, as in the steam engine or the coining press. See Fly wheel ( below).
2. A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.
3. An instrument for detecting the compass error.
4. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a difficult or unknown course.
5. Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or difficulties.
6. One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a steersman.
7. One who flies, or is qualified to fly, a balloon, an airship, or a flying machine.
8. Specifically, a person duly qualified, and licensed by authority, to conduct vessels into and out of a port, or in certain waters, for a fixed rate of fees.
9. The cowcatcher of a locomotive.
10. The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
11. To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is dangerous.
12. To fly, or act as pilot of ( an aircraft).

Synonyms:

scout, airplane pilot, fender, escort, cabin crew, baggage handler, berth, try, pilot project, route, usher, archetype, broadcast, beach, help out, company, buffer store, get through, buffer, bosun, the America's Cup, help, pilot lamp, buffer zone, vanish, pilot film, canoe, bulletin, crash-test, tool, buffer storage, trial, bank, polisher, flee, master, give, the Admiral's Cup, fly, buzz, air traffic controller, buff, drop, ditch, show, bail out, motor, cap'n, chat show, support, cowcatcher, closed-captioned, climb, leader, feature, take flight, pilot burner, conductor, wheel, shepherd, conduct, boating, test, sample, put someone/something to the test, buccaneer, benefit, aircrew, airlift, empirical, docudrama, down, try out, fell, aviate, anchor, docker, jockey, come down, director, model, assist, eject, wing, vaporize, docusoap, original, crew, drive, ahoy, master copy, voyage, move, pilot program, crewman, engineer, put through, breakfast television, experimental, get behind, documentary, air traffic control, nurse, challenge, pilot light, indicator lamp, call-in

dominate, lead, bridle, preside, rule, manage, discipline, harness, superintend, command, execute, order, steer, direct, oversee, supervise, control, administer, govern

drift, guide, maneuver, float, cruise

astro-navigator, airman, captain, aviator, cosmonaut, copilot, rocketeer, flier, alien, astronaut, Martian, spaceman, aeronaut, balloonist, passenger

pioneering, new, revolutionary, up-to-the-minute, latest, novel, innovative, fresh

gondolier, boatman, sailor, navigator, boatswain, boater, seaman, mate, ship man, steersman, tar, yeoman, ferryman, mariner, helmsman, barge-man, salt

ferry, boat, sail, navigate

Usage examples:

• In the storm people know the pilot, and Peter was always greatest, when things were going worst. - "The Complete Historical Romances of Georg Ebers", Georg Ebers.
• It was toward the end of the second of those two ship- days that Liggett's voice came down from the pilot- house: " Wreck- pack in sight ahead!" - "The Sargasso of Space", Edmond Hamilton.
• How did he happen to sit with the pilot? - "Story Hour Readings: Seventh Year", E.C. Hartwell.