fuselage

noun

fu·​se·​lage ˈfyü-sə-ˌläzh 

-zə-

: the central body portion of an aircraft designed to accommodate the crew and the passengers or cargo see airplane illustration

Examples of fuselage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eyewitness accounts described a scene of destruction, with portions of the helicopter, including the fuselage, becoming embedded in the tower itself. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

The stripping, painting and graphics application process moved seamlessly across the fuselage and cowls. —Paula Conway, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

As the name implies, the airframe is a series of cross-sectional hoops linked by stringers that run the fuselage’s length. —Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 21 Oct. 2024

The flat fuselage can contribute much more lift than the traditional tube shape of most planes, reducing the amount of dedicated wing surface the jet needs to climb and stay in the air. —New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from fuselé "spindle-shaped" (from past participle of fuseler "to give the shape of a spindle to," going back to Middle French, derivative of fusel "spindle," diminutive of fus "spindle," going back to Latin fūsus, of obscure origin) + -age -age

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fuselage

noun

fu·​se·​lage ˈfyü-sə-ˌläzh 

ˈfyü-zə-

: the central body portion of an airplane that holds the crew, passengers, and cargo