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

For decades, the Italians have graced us with some of the most beautiful chassis ever designed. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 Deal Leave it to Lenovo to class up the Chromebook in a whole new way, giving it a stunning OLED display, a luxe-feeling all-metal chassis made out of durable aluminum polycarbonate, and incredible AI performance. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026

Speaking of suspension, the chassis upgrades are central to the Speed Twin 1200 TFC. — New Atlas, 30 July 2026

Nvidia, for example, in June revealed a humanoid robot reference design which uses the humanoid chassis of China’s Unitree. — Chan Ho-Him, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 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)