Definition
A small wedge-shaped or arrow-shaped pointer used on an instrument display to mark a specific value, reference, or position on a scale. On glass cockpit displays and certain mechanical instruments, carets indicate items such as selected airspeed, target altitude, current value on a tape, or trend information.
Plain English
A small triangle or arrow on an instrument that points to an exact spot on a scale, showing you a value such as a target speed or altitude.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see the word when reading about chart symbols, display markings, instrument indications, or aviation document notation.
Derivation
From Latin caret, meaning 'it lacks' or 'it is missing.' Originally used by proofreaders as a small upward-pointing mark (^) to show where something needed to be inserted. Aviation borrowed the visual shape — a small wedge that points precisely at one spot on a scale.
Why Pilots Care
Carets are how modern displays show you the exact value you've selected or the value the airplane is currently at on a sliding scale. Misreading a caret — or missing one — can lead to flying the wrong airspeed, altitude, or heading.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse caret with carrot. A caret is a pointed mark or symbol, not an aircraft part and not a control input.
Example Sentence 1
The airspeed caret on the PFD moved up the tape as the aircraft accelerated through 80 knots.
Example Sentence 2
The diagram in the manual placed a caret above the line to mark the reference point for the measurement.