online vocabulary.com

Pilothouse - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A pilothouse is a small enclosed structure on a ship or boat where the helm and navigation controls are located, providing shelter for the crew operating the vessel.

pilothouse

/ˈpaɪləthaʊs/ /ˈpaɪləthaʊs/

Definition:

Enclosed area on a ship where the vessel is steered and navigated.

Synonyms:

wheelhouse, bridge, control room

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

open deck, cargo hold

Common Collocations:

ship's pilothouse, enter the pilothouse, pilothouse window, pilothouse door, pilothouse controls

Derivatives:

pilot house (variant spelling), pilot-house (hyphenated)

Usage Tips:

Use "pilothouse" to refer specifically to the navigation area on a boat or ship, not general control rooms.

Common Phrases:

in the pilothouse, pilothouse view, captain’s pilothouse

Etymology:

Derived from "pilot" (navigator) + "house" (enclosed structure), first used in maritime contexts.

Examples:

  • 1. The captain stood in the pilothouse, steering the ship through rough waters.
  • 2. Modern ships often have advanced technology inside the pilothouse for navigation.
  • 3. The storm made visibility from the pilothouse nearly impossible.
  • 4. Tourists peered into the historic steamboat’s pilothouse during their visit.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS