autopilots
|au-to-pi-lots|
/ˈɔːtəˌpaɪlət/
(autopilot)
automatic control
Etymology
'autopilot' is a compound formed from the prefix 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos' meaning 'self') and 'pilot' (from Middle French 'pilote', from Late Latin 'pilota'), literally meaning 'self-steering operator'.
'autopilot' was coined in the early 20th century (around the time automatic steering devices for aircraft were developed). It entered English as a technical term for Sperry-style automatic flight-control systems and later broadened into general and figurative use.
Initially it meant 'a device that steers itself or maintains control of a vehicle (especially an aircraft)'; over time it has also developed a figurative meaning of 'acting automatically or habitually without conscious thought.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'autopilot': mechanical or electronic systems that automatically control the trajectory or behavior of a vehicle (especially an aircraft) with minimal human intervention.
The airliners' autopilots kept the planes steady through the turbulence.
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Noun 2
figurative/plural: habitual or automatic modes of behavior—automatic responses or routines that take over so actions are done without conscious thought.
When tasks become too repetitive, people's autopilots can take over and small mistakes happen.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 19:58