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

These vehicles will be assembled in high volume, but some running electric chassis will be shipped to coachbuilders who will create and build low-volume or bespoke automobile bodies. —The Editors, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2025

The laptop chassis has four bays with USB-C connectors inside them, awaiting the different Expansion Cards; each of these Cards has a female USB-C head that plugs into the bay connector, with an outward-facing port on the other end. —PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025

Housed in a steel chassis, the motor incorporates a programmable microprocessor with a D/A converter to provide low-distortion sine and cosine waves that are used to turn the motor. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Speaking of which, this additional setup is secured to the front of the chassis and the rear axle by side anchors. —New Atlas, 4 Apr. 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)