cockpit
UK: ˈkɒkpɪt | US: ˈkɑːkpɪt
n. 1. The compartment in an aircraft where the pilot sits and controls the plane.
n. 2. A space for the driver in a racing car or boat.
n. 3. (Historical) A pit or enclosed area for cockfighting.
The word "cockpit" originated in the 16th century, combining "cock" (referring to a rooster) and "pit" (a sunken enclosure). Its original meaning was literal—a pit where cockfights were held. By the 18th century, the term was humorously applied to the confined, chaotic quarters of junior officers on naval ships, likening the space to a rooster's fighting arena. Later, in the early 20th century, it was adopted for the pilot's compartment in aircraft, retaining the idea of a small, controlled space for high-stakes activity.
The pilot adjusted the controls in the cockpit before takeoff.
The racing driver climbed into the cockpit and fastened his seatbelt.
In Elizabethan England, crowds gathered around the cockpit to watch roosters fight.
Modern cockpits are equipped with advanced digital displays.
The submarine's cockpit was cramped but efficiently designed.