autopilot

/ˈɔːtoʊˌpaɪlət/
noun
  1. A device or system that automatically controls the direction and speed of a vehicle, especially an aircraft or ship, without constant human input.
    • The pilot engaged the autopilot after reaching cruising altitude.
    • Modern cars have an autopilot feature that helps with steering and braking on highways.
    • The ship's autopilot kept it on course through the night.
  2. A state or mode of doing something automatically, without conscious thought or effort.
    • She answered the phone on autopilot while still reading her book.
    • After driving the same route for years, I can do it on autopilot.
    • When I'm tired, I tend to work on autopilot and make more mistakes.
verb
  1. To operate or function using an automatic control system; to engage autopilot.
    • The captain decided to autopilot the vessel for the remainder of the voyage.
    • The plane autopiloted smoothly through the storm.
    • You can autopilot the drone by setting a GPS route.
  2. To do something automatically, without conscious thought.
    • I autopiloted through my morning routine, barely noticing what I was doing.
    • He autopiloted his way through the meeting, nodding at the right moments.
    • After a long day, she autopiloted through dinner preparation.
What does "autopilot" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean