[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/autopilot/)

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# autopilot

noun (autopilot — uncountable; an autopilot, autopilots)

«autopilot» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A computer system in an aircraft, ship or car that steers and controls it automatically, without a person doing it by hand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#m1)
2. (informal) In "on autopilot": doing something without thinking about it, out of habit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#m2)

### In the lessons

In technology lessons autopilots show how computers help pilots on long flights, though pilots still watch and take over for take-off and landing or in trouble. In everyday talk "on autopilot" describes doing things half-asleep, like walking to school without noticing the way. Phrases: on autopilot, switch on the autopilot.

### Examples

- The pilot switched on the autopilot over the ocean. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#x1)
- On long flights, the autopilot flies the plane for hours. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#x2)
- I was on autopilot and put the milk in the cupboard. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#x3)
- Some cars can steer themselves a little with autopilot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#x4)
- He walked home on autopilot, thinking about the game. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#x5)
- Pilots must still watch carefully even on autopilot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/#x6)

### Note

Countable for the device (an autopilot), uncountable in "on autopilot". "Auto" means self. Myth: autopilot does not mean the pilot sleeps or that the plane flies itself completely; people stay in charge.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «autopilot» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/autopilot/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«autopilot» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/autopilot.html) on Mova free.