pilot

noun17

1. •
   a person who controls a plane while it is flying
2. •
   A person who steers a ship, a helmsman.

   • They scud before the wind, and sail in open sea. Ahead of all the master pilot steers; And, as he leads, the following navy veers. — 1697
3. •
   A racing driver.
4. •
   One who flies a kite.

   • Julia has become quite a good kite pilot. She has learned how to repeatedly buzz her father's head, coming within two feet, and not hitting him. — 2003
5. •
   Something serving as a test or trial.

   • We would like to run a pilot in your facility before rolling out the program citywide.
6. •
   The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
7. •
   A sample episode of a proposed TV series produced to decide if it should be made or not. If approved, typically the first episode of an actual TV series.
8. •
   A person who knows well the depths, shoals, and currents of a harbor or coastal area, who is hired by a vessel to help navigate the harbor or coast.
9. •
   (Australia) A person authorised to drive such a vehicle during an escort.
10. •
    A guide or escort through an unknown or dangerous area.

    • So we mounted our horses, and put out for that town, under the direction of two friendly Creeks we had taken for pilots. — 1834
11. •
    (Australia, informal) A pilot vehicle.
12. •
    A pilot light.
13. •
    [before a noun] A tone or signal, usually a single frequency, transmitted over a communications system for control or synchronization purposes.
14. •
    A guide book for maritime navigation.
15. •
    A cowcatcher.
16. •
    An instrument for detecting the compass error.
17. •
    A short plug, sometimes made interchangeable, at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool.

verb5

1. •
   To control (an aircraft or watercraft).
2. •
   To guide (a vessel) through coastal waters.
3. •
   To test or have a preliminary trial of (an idea, a new product, television show, etc.)
4. •
   To guide or conduct (a person) somewhere.
5. •
   To serve as the leading locomotive on a double-headed train.

adjective3

1. •
   Made or used as a test or demonstration of capability.

   • a pilot run of the new factory
   • The pilot plant showed the need for major process changes.
2. •
   Used to control or activate another device.
3. •
   Being a vehicle to warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle or combination.

noun1

1. •
   Acronym of payment in lieu of taxes