AUTOPILOT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does autopilot mean? 

• AUTOPILOT (noun)
  The noun AUTOPILOT has 2 senses:

1. a cognitive state in which you act without self-awareness

2. a navigational device that automatically keeps ships or planes or spacecraft on a steady course

  Familiarity information: AUTOPILOT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AUTOPILOT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A cognitive state in which you act without self-awareness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

automatic pilot; autopilot

Context example:

she talked and he dozed and my mind went on autopilot

Hypernyms ("autopilot" is a kind of...):

unconsciousness (a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A navigational device that automatically keeps ships or planes or spacecraft on a steady course

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

automatic pilot; autopilot; robot pilot

Hypernyms ("autopilot" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Meronyms (parts of "autopilot"):

inertial guidance system; inertial navigation system (a system to control a plane or spacecraft; uses inertial forces)

 Context examples 

With the autopilot engaged, the synthetic aperture radar is able to acquire repeat-pass data that can measure land-surface changes within fractions of an inch (centimeters).

(NASA airborne research focuses on Andean volcanoes, NASA)

NASA's C-20A features a high-precision autopilot designed and developed by engineers at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, allowing the aircraft to fly the same flight lines this spring as those flown in 2013 within 15 feet (4.5 meters) or closer.

(NASA airborne research focuses on Andean volcanoes, NASA)