unibody

noun

uni·​body ˈyü-nə-ˌbä-dē 

plural unibodies

: a single structural unit of an automobile consisting of a combined chassis and body

Weight was shaved by 800 pounds from the outgoing model with an aluminum unibody instead of body-on-frame construction …

—Robert Duffer

—often used before another noun

Unibody construction was brought on by demands on automakers to produce lighter, more fuel-efficient models.

—Carl Larsen

compare monocoque, space frame

Examples of unibody in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It's known for its smooth ride quality because of its unique unibody design. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 May 2025

The unibody design was a modern development when earlier MGs and other British competitors, such as Triumph, still used body-on-frame designs. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 23 May 2025

The Miata’s sturdy steel unibody features an aluminum hood. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025

The older 4×4 is built on ladder-frame chassis, but the smaller version will utilize the same unibody construction as the upcoming C-Class sedan and GLC SUV. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unibody

• afterbody
• antibody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• body
• gaudy
• khadi
• mahdi
• noddy
• oddi