monocoque

[ mon-uh-kohk, -kok ]
/ ˈmɒn əˌkoʊk, -ˌkɒk /

noun

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

adjective

of, relating to, or being a monocoque.

Origin of monocoque

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

Example sentences from the Web for monocoque

British Dictionary definitions for monocoque

monocoque
/ (ˈmɒnəˌkɒk) /

noun

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

adjective

of or relating to the design characteristic of a monocoque

Word Origin for monocoque

C20: from French, from mono- + coque shell