fuselage

noun

fu·​se·​lage ˈfyü-sə-ˌläzh How to pronounce fuselage (audio)
-zə-
: the central body portion of an aircraft designed to accommodate the crew and the passengers or cargo see airplane illustration

Examples of fuselage in a Sentence

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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.
While warming up, the four 2,400-hp Pratt & Whitney engines rattled and shook the plane’s fuselage. — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The interior of this secret factory of the Fire Point company – whose drones account for some 60% of Ukraine’s deep-strike attacks inside Russia – is stacked with wing components and fuselages being tested and assembled. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026 But there hasn’t been a crash caused by lightning since 1967, thanks to engineering that lets the charge pass harmlessly through the fuselage. — Cindy Dees, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 Searchers recently found the wreckage of the DC-4 by using an autonomous underwater vehicle equipped with high-resolution sonar to locate the fuselage and separated tail in nearly 2,000 feet of water. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fuselage

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from fuselé "spindle-shaped" (from past participle of fuseler "to give the shape of a spindle to," going back to Middle French, derivative of fusel "spindle," diminutive of fus "spindle," going back to Latin fūsus, of obscure origin) + -age -age

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fuselage was in 1909

Rhymes for fuselage

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Browse Nearby Words

fuse gauge
fuselage
fusel oil
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Cite this Entry

“Fuselage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuselage. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fuselage

noun
fu·​se·​lage ˈfyü-sə-ˌläzh How to pronounce fuselage (audio)
ˈfyü-zə-
: the central body portion of an airplane that holds the crew, passengers, and cargo

More from Merriam-Webster on fuselage

Nglish: Translation of fuselage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fuselage

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