Plain English Meaning
These are the cockpit gauges that work by measuring outside air pressure. They tell the pilot how fast the aircraft is going, how high it is, and whether it is climbing or descending.
Full Definition
The group of cockpit flight instruments that derive their indications from air pressure sensed by the aircraft's pitot tube and static ports. The three primary pitot-static instruments are the airspeed indicator, the altimeter, and the vertical speed indicator.
Context Anchor
Seen in cockpit instrument discussions, preflight checks, and training on the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator.