undercarriage

noun

un·​der·​car·​riage ˈən-dər-ˌker-ij How to pronounce undercarriage (audio)
-ˌka-rij
1
: a supporting framework or underside (as of an automobile)
2
: the landing gear of an airplane

Examples of undercarriage in a Sentence

There was a problem with the plane's undercarriage.
Recent Examples on the Web The smooth undercarriage is powder-coated in two-tone colors, with a custom center-section belly pan. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2023 As for amenities, the airport shuttle buses are expected to have undercarriage space for luggage, as well as available Wi-Fi and charging ports. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 11 Jan. 2024 Avalos ran over the bicyclist, who became lodged in the van’s undercarriage, and continued to drive south on Broadway, turning several times on side streets for roughly a mile, according to the LAPD. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2023 Cars would ride so close to the ground that any small shift in weight caused their undercarriages to scrape against the pavement. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 So, when possible, use the undercarriage storage and avoid loading the handlebars with bags. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 27 Sep. 2023 Others complained to the city, or contacted the local news, about the damage the asphalt waves wrought on their cars’ suspensions and undercarriages. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Aug. 2023 Soon after, a driver in a 1999 Toyota Camry turned into the garage and ran Taylor over, pinning him beneath the car’s undercarriage, officials reported. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023 With undercarriage storage, the biggest two issues are basket size and access. Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 25 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undercarriage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undercarriage was circa 1796

Dictionary Entries Near undercarriage

Cite this Entry

“Undercarriage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercarriage. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

undercarriage

noun
un·​der·​car·​riage ˈən-dər-ˌkar-ij How to pronounce undercarriage (audio)
1
: a supporting structure or underside (as of an automobile)
2
: the landing gear of an airplane

More from Merriam-Webster on undercarriage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!