autopilot

A noun referring to either a navigational device that automatically maintains a steady course for a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft, or a cognitive state in which a person acts without conscious self-awareness.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant soit un dispositif de navigation qui maintient automatiquement le cap d'un navire, d'un avion ou d'un engin spatial, soit un état cognitif dans lequel une personne agit sans contrôle conscient de soi.

1. Navigation device B2 formal technical

   A device that automatically steers a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft on a set course without constant human input.

   • The pilot engaged the autopilot during the long flight.
   • Modern ships rely on autopilot for precise navigation.
   • The spacecraft's autopilot kept it on the correct trajectory.

   🇫🇷pilote automatique

   Synonymes: automatic pilot

2. Automatic mental state B2 informal

   A state of mind where actions are performed without conscious thought or self-awareness, often due to routine or habit.

   • After driving the same route for years, he did it on autopilot.
   • She completed the repetitive task on autopilot, barely thinking.
   • I was on autopilot during the meeting and didn't remember a thing.

   🇫🇷pilote automatique (état mental)

   Synonymes: habitmindlessnessroteroutine

   Antonymes: attentionawarenessconsciousnessdeliberationmindfulness

• autopilots plural form
• autopilots' possessive plural form
• autopilot's possessive singular form