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

During the design process, Stroud quickly concluded that the stock Mustang chassis was not going to be able to contain the 777 hp produced by the Holman Moody V-8. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2025

The screen is a 14-inch OLED panel, and the chassis is a super-slim Yoga-style shell measuring 0.59 inch thick and weighing 2.68 pounds. —Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 2 Mar. 2025

The medium-sized van is set for launch in 2025 and will be available in standard, high-roof panel van and chassis cab layouts. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

That sounds like plenty of payload to us, but to be fair, Camper Australia was working with a fully optioned Ultra on an earlier rendition of the chassis that topped out 440 lb (200 kg) lower in gross vehicle weight rating, leaving just under 600 lb (271 kg) of payload for its test. —New Atlas, 26 Feb. 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

Rhymes for chassis

• assay
• bassi
• brassey
• brassy
• cassie
• classy
• gassy
• glassy
• grassy
• lassie
• massy
• sassy

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)