pilot light

noun

1
: a small permanent flame used to ignite gas at a burner
2
: an indicator light showing where a switch or circuit breaker is located or whether a motor is in operation or power is on

called also pilot lamp

Examples of pilot light 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.
That failure did not light a fire so much as keep the pilot light on. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025 Hold the reset button or use a long match to relight the pilot light. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025 The thermocouple sensor detects the heat from the pilot light and sends a signal to keep the gas valve open, but if the pilot light is extinguished, then the thermocouple will send a signal to the gas valve to stop the flow of gas to the pilot light. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Jan. 2025 Willis also recommends extinguishing all pilot lights and disabling any sources of sparks because bug bombs are highly flammable. Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pilot light

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pilot light was in 1881

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pilot light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilot%20light. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

pilot light

noun
: a small permanent flame used to ignite gas at a burner

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