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

Ruf also reinforced the 911S’s chassis and equipped it with a Bilstein suspension, a G50 rear torsion tube, and 930 disc brakes. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025

Machined from artisan-grade materials, the HTI chassis is designed to absorb shocks, withstand abuse, and perform under the harshest combat and environmental conditions. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025

Today, thanks to innovations such as the carbon fibre monocoque chassis, the HANS device, the halo cockpit protection, and advanced fireproof suits, fatalities have become exceedingly rare. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025

The train containing the four ride vehicles, including the Dodge Charger, will be concealed during this initial test phase — though a version of the Charger chassis was revealed to media this summer. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 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)