pilot light

noun

1
: a small permanent flame used to ignite gas at a burner
2
: an indicator light showing where a switch or circuit breaker is located or whether a motor is in operation or power is on

called also pilot lamp

Examples of pilot light in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Except there was a pilot light. — Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 Unbeknownst to him, the pilot light had gone out and the grill had filled with gas. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025 The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the burner to heat the water in the tank. — Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 21 Apr. 2026 There was nothing wrong with gasoline, either, or a gas leak that happened to meet a stove’s pilot light. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pilot light

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pilot light was in 1881

Rhymes for pilot light

See All Rhymes for pilot light

Browse Nearby Words

pilotless
pilot light
pilot method
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pilot light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilot%20light. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pilot light

noun
: a small permanent flame used to ignite gas at a burner

More from Merriam-Webster on pilot light

Nglish: Translation of pilot light for Spanish Speakers

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