monocoque

[ mon-uh-kohk, -kok ]

noun

1. a type of boat, aircraft, or rocket construction in which the shell carries most of the stresses.
2. Automotive. a type of vehicular construction in which the body is combined with the chassis as a single unit.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or being a monocoque.

monocoque

/ ˈmɒnəˌkɒk /

noun

1. a type of aircraft fuselage, car body, etc, in which all or most of the loads are taken by the skin
2. a type of racing-car, racing-cycle, or powerboat design with no separate chassis and body

adjective

1. of or relating to the design characteristic of a monocoque

Word History and Origins

Origin of monocoque¹

1910–15; < French, equivalent to mono- mono- + coque shell, eggshell (of uncertain origin)

Word History and Origins

Origin of monocoque¹

C20: from French, from mono- + coque shell

Example Sentences

Colin Chapman, team boss and chief designer of Lotus from the 1960s until the early 1980s, is held in extremely high regard for all his success, and the innovations he was behind, including monocoque chassis and venturi-floor ground effect.

From BBC

The idea is to prevent the plank from bending upwards into a gap that had been deliberately left by some teams between the plank and underside of the monocoque for that purpose.

From BBC

The figure is a best early estimate for repairs the car, and could yet go up - Red Bull are still looking into whether the monocoque can be repaired or will have to be replaced with a new one.

From BBC

The monocoque is the largest single carbon fiber piece in the automotive industry, according to the company, dramatically cutting weight and improving safety.

From The Verge

The H-shaped battery pack is structurally integrated into that monocoque, too, keeping the center of gravity low and adding to the overall structural stiffness.

From The Verge