Plain English Meaning

Doing something so well, from so much practice, that you no longer have to think about how to do it.

Full Definition

In the context of human behavior and learning, a level of skill performance in which an action is carried out smoothly, accurately, and with little or no conscious thought, having been practiced to the point that it no longer requires deliberate attention.

Context Anchor

Seen in human behavior and instructor discussions, especially when describing student reactions, habits, and responses under pressure.

Derivation

From the Greek 'automatos,' meaning 'self-acting' or 'moving by itself.' In aviation training, the idea is that the action runs by itself once the pilot has practiced it enough — the hands and feet do the work without conscious instruction.