English · Word Candidate

cockpit

/ˈkɒkˌpɪt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: cockpits

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A pit or other enclosure for cockfighting.

Noun

Examples

I obſerv'd a Place where there had been a Fire made, and a Circle dug in the Earth, like a Cockpit, where it is ſuppoſed the Savage Wretches had ſat down to their inhumane Feaſtings upon the Bodies of their Fellow-Creatures.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A site of conflict; a battlefield.

Noun

Examples

Hungary is become the onely Cockpit of the World, where the Turkes doe strive to gain, and the Christians at the charge of the Emperor of Germany (who entituleth himselfe King of Hungary) doe labour to repulse them: and few summers do passe, but that something is either wonne or lost by either party

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The area set aside for junior officers including the ship's surgeon on a man-of-war, where the wounded were treated; the sickbay.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A well, usually near the stern, where the helm is located.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “cockpit” mean?

A pit or other enclosure for cockfighting.

Is “cockpit” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.