unibody

noun

uni·​body ˈyü-nə-ˌbä-dē How to pronounce unibody (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lava Music was founded in 2013, and launched its first guitar in 2015 but the first unibody carbon fiber instrument didn't appear until a couple of years later when the Lava Me was born. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2024 Using a unibody, or monocoque, construction makes these Mustangs stiffer and lighter than a body on frame design. Karl Brauer, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Tiger's decades-long experience in the overland industry shines through in promotional materials that spend more time focusing on its rigid unibody motorhome-to-truck mounting system and aluminum/fiberglass construction than flashy accessories like snorkels, bull bars and off-road lights. New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024 Scout Nails the Truck Stuff Building the Traveler and Terra using a body-on-frame design should result in higher payload and towing capacities, increase durability, and foster repairability in comparison to the unibody construction more typical in the EV space. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unibody 

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unibody was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near unibody

Cite this Entry

“Unibody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unibody. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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