Undercarriage: meaning, definitions and examples

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undercarriage

[ˈʌndərkærɪdʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

aircraft

The structure underneath an aircraft, including the landing gear, wheels, and other supporting components.

Synonyms

landing gear, undercarriage assembly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
undercarriage	Commonly used in general English to refer to the supporting structure of a vehicle, particularly the part that is underneath. It's not specific to aviation and can be used for trains and other vehicles. The undercarriage of the old train needed extensive repairs. He inspected the undercarriage of the car to check for any damage.
landing gear	Specifically used in the context of aviation. It refers to the parts of an aircraft that allow it to take off, land, and taxi. It's a technical term used by pilots, engineers, and in aviation documentation. The pilot lowered the landing gear as the plane prepared to touch down. They discovered a fault in the landing gear during the pre-flight inspection.
undercarriage assembly	A more technical term that refers specifically to the entire system of components that make up the undercarriage, often used in engineering and mechanical contexts. It can be applied to both aviation and other vehicles. Engineers worked on the undercarriage assembly to ensure it was functioning properly. The manual provided detailed diagrams of the undercarriage assembly for maintenance.

Word

Description / Examples

undercarriage

Commonly used in general English to refer to the supporting structure of a vehicle, particularly the part that is underneath. It's not specific to aviation and can be used for trains and other vehicles.

The undercarriage of the old train needed extensive repairs.
He inspected the undercarriage of the car to check for any damage.

landing gear

Specifically used in the context of aviation. It refers to the parts of an aircraft that allow it to take off, land, and taxi. It's a technical term used by pilots, engineers, and in aviation documentation.

The pilot lowered the landing gear as the plane prepared to touch down.
They discovered a fault in the landing gear during the pre-flight inspection.

undercarriage assembly

A more technical term that refers specifically to the entire system of components that make up the undercarriage, often used in engineering and mechanical contexts. It can be applied to both aviation and other vehicles.

Engineers worked on the undercarriage assembly to ensure it was functioning properly.
The manual provided detailed diagrams of the undercarriage assembly for maintenance.

Examples of usage

The pilot checked the undercarriage before takeoff.
The undercarriage of the plane was damaged during landing.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

vehicle

The framework and wheels beneath a vehicle, such as a car or train.

Synonyms

chassis, underbody.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
undercarriage	Commonly used in aviation and trains to describe the support framework or landing gear. The airplane's undercarriage retracted smoothly after takeoff. The train's undercarriage was inspected for any signs of wear.
chassis	Typically used in automotive and electronics to refer to the base frame of a vehicle or the structural framework of a device. The car's chassis needed reinforcement after the accident. This computer’s chassis is made of lightweight aluminum.
underbody	Used when talking about the bottom part of a vehicle, often in relation to protection from rust or damage. Applying an underbody coating can prevent rust. The mechanic checked the car's underbody for any damage.

Word

Description / Examples

undercarriage

Commonly used in aviation and trains to describe the support framework or landing gear.

The airplane's undercarriage retracted smoothly after takeoff.
The train's undercarriage was inspected for any signs of wear.

chassis

Typically used in automotive and electronics to refer to the base frame of a vehicle or the structural framework of a device.

The car's chassis needed reinforcement after the accident.
This computer’s chassis is made of lightweight aluminum.

underbody

Used when talking about the bottom part of a vehicle, often in relation to protection from rust or damage.

Applying an underbody coating can prevent rust.
The mechanic checked the car's underbody for any damage.

Examples of usage

He examined the undercarriage of the car for any signs of damage.
The undercarriage of the train was built to withstand rough terrain.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'undercarriage' combines 'under' meaning beneath and 'carriage' which refers to a vehicle's structure.
First recorded use of the term dates back to the 19th century, evolving with the invention of railways and automobiles.
It was initially used to describe the supporting framework of horse-drawn vehicles before applying to modern transport.

Engineering

Modern aircraft utilize retractable undercarriages, allowing for improved aerodynamics during flight.
Automobile undercarriages must be robust to support not only the weight of the vehicle but also to absorb shocks from the road.
In racing, vehicles often have specially designed undercarriages for enhanced performance and speed.

Pop Culture

In movies and TV, dramatic car chases often highlight the undercarriage, showcasing how it withstands impacts and jumps.
The animated film 'Cars' features a character named Mater, whose humorous adventures often involve his undercarriage repairs.

Safety

Inspecting the undercarriage is crucial for vehicle safety, as damage can affect steering and stability.
Some technologies, like undercarriage sensors, are being developed to detect potential hazards on the road.

History

The design of the undercarriage has evolved significantly since the introduction of the first automobiles in the late 19th century.
During World War II, military vehicles had specially designed undercarriages for navigating rough terrains.
Trains, especially freight trains, have distinct undercarriage designs tailored to carry heavy loads over long distances.

Translations

Translations of the word "undercarriage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trem de pouso

🇮🇳 अंडरकारेज़

🇩🇪 Fahrwerk

🇮🇩 roda pendaratan

🇺🇦 шасі

🇵🇱 podwozie

🇯🇵 着陸装置

🇫🇷 train d'atterrissage

🇪🇸 tren de aterrizaje

🇹🇷 iniş takımı

🇰🇷 착륙 장치

🇸🇦 هيكل سفلي

🇨🇿 podvozek

🇸🇰 podvozok

🇨🇳 起落架

🇸🇮 podvozje

🇮🇸 neðri hluti

🇰🇿 қону құрылғысы

🇬🇪 დასაჯდომი სისტემა

🇦🇿 eniş qurğusu

🇲🇽 tren de aterrizaje

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,177, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
29174 flouted
29175 micronutrients
29176 outwit
29177 undercarriage
29178 mincing
29179 slenderness
29180 guiltily
...