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

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.
The fuselage came to rest across a concrete barrier, while its tail broke off and fell to a lower section of roadway. — ABC News, 18 June 2026 Video posted to social media showed the plane on its side and smashed into a highway barrier as the tail was ripped from the fuselage. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026 The tail was ripped from the fuselage and laying mostly intact on a lower-level road beneath where the rescue was taking place. — CBS News, 17 June 2026 Photos of the damage included in the report show three punctures, one about 46 inches long, on the left lower aft fuselage. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 5 June 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

See All Rhymes for fuselage

Browse Nearby Words

fuse gauge
fuselage
fusel oil
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fuselage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuselage. Accessed 7 Jul. 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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