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

External SSDs might look plain on the outside, but this Western Digital 1TB portable drive is shockingly fast under its drop-resistant chassis. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026

The addition of the structure also increased the stiffness of the chassis. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 June 2026

The 250's chassis is largely similar to that of its older sibling, with a perimeter frame and aluminum swingarm derived from the Desmo450 MX that debuted last year. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 June 2026

Just as Formula 1 demands that engine and chassis be conceived as one inseparable system, the RM 55-01 applies the same holistic logic to movement and case innovation. — Richard Mille Contributor, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

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)