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

That's true of many docking stations, though the thinness of the chassis might be making cooling more difficult. —Luke Larsen, Wired News, 11 July 2025

The chassis has plenty of ports, but this offer also includes a docking station for even more connectivity. —PC Magazine, 9 July 2025

The example crossing the auction block through Bonhams, chassis No. 6500024, was built in 1956 and fit with a 2,996 cc inline six engine—with Bosch mechanical fuel injection—paired with a four-speed manual transmission. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 7 July 2025

The trucks are imported in a 4x2 chassis configuration before Astra adds an extra axle to allow the tractor unit to operate at up to 44-tonnes. —Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 29 June 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)