pilot program

noun

UK /ˈpaɪlət ˈprəʊɡræm/

US /ˈpaɪlət ˈproʊɡræm/

A pilot program is a small test of a new idea to see if it works.

The school started a pilot program to give every student a tablet.

SYNONYMS

trial program test program pilot scheme trial run test run

RELATED WORDS

prototype experiment trial test launch

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A small-scale version of a planned project used to check feasibility before full rollout.

The city ran a pilot program for bike lanes before expanding them citywide.

3. An initial trial of a service or product offered to a limited group of users.

The app's pilot program let a few hundred people try the new features first.

4. A temporary setup used to gather feedback and fix problems before a wider launch.

Feedback from the pilot program helped the team improve the lesson plans.