A copilot is the second pilot in an aircraft's cockpit, working alongside the captain to fly the plane safely. While the captain has final authority and responsibility, the copilot shares many of the same duties: monitoring instruments, communicating with air traffic control, and helping make decisions. On long flights, they take turns actually flying the aircraft so neither gets too tired.

The word combines “co” (meaning together or jointly) with “pilot.” Think of it like having a partner in a difficult task: the copilot is a fully trained pilot, ready to fly the plane if needed. In an emergency, if something happened to the captain, the copilot could take over completely.

Outside of aviation, people use copilot to describe a trusted partner in any challenging situation. You might call your best friend your copilot on a difficult school project, meaning they're working right beside you, sharing the load. Some companies now use “copilot” as a name for AI assistants that help people with their work, suggesting these tools work alongside humans rather than replacing them. The word captures the idea of teamwork and shared responsibility, whether you're flying a 747 or tackling a tough math assignment.