cockpit

noun

cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit How to pronounce cockpit (audio)
1
a
: a pit or enclosure for cockfights
b
: a place noted for especially bloody, violent, or long-continued conflict
2
obsolete : the pit of a theater
3
: a compartment in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement
4
: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (such as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven see airplane illustration

Examples of cockpit 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.
Imagine yourself in the cockpit of a fighter jet, practicing maneuvers over the desert of the American Southwest. Sarah A. Bell, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025 The aircraft were close enough that alarms went off in the cockpit of the Airbus, CNN reported. Jay Blackman, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2025 Photo : Courtesy of Mecum Auctions The cockpit where French racers Maurice Trintignant and Guy Ligier took turns behind the wheel during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1965. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2025 In the cockpit, pit lane, ops center, film room, simulator facility … all at once. John Cairney, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cockpit

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cockpit was in 1556

Cite this Entry

“Cockpit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockpit. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cockpit

noun
cock·​pit ˈkäk-ˌpit How to pronounce cockpit (audio)
: a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven

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