banquette

noun

ban·​quette baŋ-ˈket 

ban-,

 sense 1b is also  ˈbaŋ-kət

1

a

: a raised way along the inside of a parapet or trench for gunners or guns

b

Southern US : sidewalk

2

a

: a long upholstered bench

b

: a sofa having one roll-over arm

c

: a built-in usually upholstered bench along a wall

Examples of banquette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s also a large dining area with a banquette, fireplace, and TV. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2025

The print hanging above the banquette is the only piece of art in the apartment that wasn’t one of McElhiney’s or another family member’s own creations. —Sarah Lyon, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025

Servers bear sophisticated cocktails and sizzling steaks and weave from banquette to table, dropping off dishes and pouring wine. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025

Circular banquette seating wraps around structural pillars and dark wooden furniture is meant to evoke the feeling of a grand banking hall. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from Old Occitan banqueta, diminutive of banc bench, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English benc bench

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1a