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

Another shopper mentioned using one as a magnetic flashlight during car repairs, snapping to metal on the car’s chassis for hands-free illumination right where it’s needed. —Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2025

The chassis comes with an RTX 5070 graphics card which enables impressive graphical fidelity, making games look realistic and enhancing immersion. —PC Magazine, 12 Nov. 2025

Its roots can be traced back to the 1960s, when engineer Paul Jameson built a custom chassis for a Rolls-Royce Meteor tank engine and Dodd, a transmission specialist, equipped it with a custom GM Hydramatic 400 gearbox. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2025

In one phase of the collaboration, for instance, Monolith’s AI was used to test the performance of bolt joints in the vehicle chassis. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 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)