Etymology Map
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Pilot

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a person who operates an aircraft

Where does the word "pilot" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin pedotta, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pedotta
Medieval Latin · medieval
"steersman"
from Greek 'pēdon', oar or rudder
2
Stage 2 of 3
pilote
Old French · medieval
"ship's steersman"
came through Italian 'pilota'
3
Stage 3 of 3
pilot
English · 1500s
"steersman"
aircraft 'pilots' date from 1907
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Read the full story

Pilot’s story begins in Medieval Latin: pedotta meant “steersman.” From Greek 'pēdon', oar or rudder. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pilote. Came through Italian 'pilota'. It reached English by 1500s as pilot. Aircraft 'pilots' date from 1907. Today, pilot means a person who operates an aircraft.