chassis

noun

chas·​sis ˈcha-sē  ˈsha-sē 

 also  ˈcha-səs

plural chassis ˈcha-sēz 

ˈsha-sēz

: the supporting frame of a structure (such as an automobile or television)

Leaf springs are attached to the car's chassis.

also : the frame and working parts (as of an automobile or electronic device) exclusive of the body or housing

Examples of chassis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chassis lifts to get over even high doorway dividers, the mops automatically lift when the 10R senses carpet or rugs, and the brushes lift when in mop-only modes or cleaning high-pile carpeting. —Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

The standard 420 body measures 432 cm (170 in) atop a chassis of the same length. —New Atlas, 23 Jan. 2025

The chassis of the GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition measures exactly 12 inches (304mm) long, 5.3 inches (137mm) high, and has a two-slot (40mm) width. —John Burek, PCMAG, 20 Jan. 2025

The suspension, motor, chassis … everything is so much better. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French châssis "window sash, cold frame, frame holding cloth to be painted or embroidered, supporting frame of a motor vehicle," going back to Old French chasiz "window frame" from casse (Anglo-Norman & Norman dialect) "reliquary" (Middle French chasse "frame, mount") + -iz, denominal collective suffix, often of things linked or intertwined, of uncertain origin — more at case entry 2

Note: To judge by the derivative chasiz, attested already in the twelfth century (Roman d'Énéas), the meaning "frame" of casse/chasse is older than its first Middle French attestation in the fourteenth century. Presumably the Latin source capsa had developed more than one sense, all subsumable under the meaning "something holding or enclosing" in Gallo-Romance.

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chassis

noun

chas·​sis ˈshas-ē  ˈchas-ē 

plural chassis -ēz 

: a supporting frame (as that of the body of an automobile or airplane or the parts of a radio or television receiver)