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
Examples of autopilot in a Sentence
an airplane equipped with an autopilot
The plane was flying on autopilot.
Recent Examples on the Web
For years, this program has been on autopilot, with no USDA insight into real-time data.
—
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
In many cases, a change in routine — such as a parent who doesn't normally do day care drop-off — and a brain operating on autopilot leads to the tragedy.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 July 2025
However, many people move through their daily walks on autopilot — without attention to posture, alignment or movement quality — which can lead to negative physical consequences.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
One was an open-source autopilot system that enables its drones to operate autonomously when the signal between human pilot and drone is jammed or weak.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autopilot
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Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
In many cases, a change in routine — such as a parent who doesn't normally do day care drop-off — and a brain operating on autopilot leads to the tragedy.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 July 2025
However, many people move through their daily walks on autopilot — without attention to posture, alignment or movement quality — which can lead to negative physical consequences.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
One was an open-source autopilot system that enables its drones to operate autonomously when the signal between human pilot and drone is jammed or weak.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autopilot
Cite this Entry
“Autopilot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autopilot. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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