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.
Liberty Gas, which provides gas services throughout Lexington, shut off gas lines citywide Wednesday night and instructed all residents to check pilot lights in their homes, city officials said. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025 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 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 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pilot light

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

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