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

It was founded by the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1926 and is recognizable by its whimsical decor informed by its home country (namely the red leather banquettes and 24-karat gold ceiling). —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, all-day dining is the name of the game in The Gallery, where Italian-American favorites are served at velvet banquettes with marble-top tables. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025

And last but not least, breakfast: Kitchen, the all-day restaurant adjacent to the lobby, had a beautiful indoor space (clutch on a hot, humid day) as well as benches and banquette tables outdoors that worked well for our big group. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025

The sprawling bistro space, designed in collaboration with Amy Carman Design and Dan Beyer Architects, seats nearly 200 diners and boasts vintage chandeliers, mosaic tilework, and leather banquettes. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 28 Jan. 2025

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