chassis

American  

[chas-ee, -is, shas-ee] / ˈtʃæs i, -ɪs, ˈʃæs i /

noun

plural

chassis

1. Automotive. the frame, wheels, and machinery of a motor vehicle, on which the body is supported.

2. Ordnance. the frame or railway on which a gun carriage moves backward and forward.

3. the main landing gear of an aircraft; that portion of the landing gear that supports an aircraft.

4. Radio and Television. a frame for mounting the circuit components of a radio or television set.

5. a construction forming the sides, top, and bottom of a cabinet, showcase, or the like.

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chassis British  

/ ˈʃæsɪ /

noun

1. the steel frame, wheels, engine, and mechanical parts of a motor vehicle, to which the body is attached

2. electronics a mounting for the circuit components of an electrical or electronic device, such as a radio or television

3. the landing gear of an aircraft

4. obsolete a wooden framework for a window, screen, etc

5. the frame on which a cannon carriage moves backwards and forwards

6. slang the body of a person, esp a woman

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Etymology

Origin of chassis

1655–65; < French châssis frame; akin to chase ²

Explanation

A chassis is the frame of a car. If you warp the chassis of your mom’s car when you make a Dukes of Hazzard jump, she's going to be mad. Pronounce chassis CHASS-ee (singular) and CHASS-eez (plural). Chassis comes from the Latin capsa, meaning box. In the 1600s, chassis referred to window frames, and starting with early automobile production, acquired its dominant meaning, i.e., the box that is the frame for the car. It also means other kinds of frame/boxes too — if you have a radio or a stereo, the outside box is called a chassis.

Example Sentences

ZF Chassis Modules this week again threatened to stop shipping parts, according to the complaint.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

BRM developed the Type 15 Chassis Number 1 car, with a V16 supercharged engine, to take part.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025

The company had credited the jump to its Snapdragon Digital Chassis product used by car makers and their suppliers.

From Reuters • May 8, 2023

For those more interested in building their own drag car, Dodge also will offer a $89,999 Challenger Mopar Drag Pak Rolling Chassis without an engine or transmission through its Direct Connection program.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2022

Qualcomm already has a full suite of automotive platforms, which it collectively calls the Qualcomm Digital Chassis.

From The Verge • Jan. 4, 2022

Related Words

• frame
• undercarriage