banquette

American  

[bang-ket, bang-kit] / bæŋˈkɛt, ˈbæŋ kɪt /

noun

1. a long bench with an upholstered seat, especially one along a wall, as in a restaurant.

2. an embankment for buttressing the base of a levee and forming a berm.

3. Chiefly Coastal Louisiana and East Texas. a sidewalk, especially a raised one of bricks or planks.

4. Fortification. a platform or step along the inside of a parapet, for soldiers to stand on when firing.

5. a ledge running across the back of a buffet.

6. a bench for passengers on top of a stagecoach.

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banquette British  

/ bæŋˈkɛt /

noun

1. an upholstered bench

2. (formerly) a raised part behind a parapet

3. a footbridge

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Etymology

Origin of banquette

1620–30; < French < Provençal banqueta, equivalent to banc bench ( see bank ³) + -eta -ette

Example Sentences

Jim Parsons and Celia Keenan-Bolger, both nominees for their performances as teenage siblings in Paula Vogel’s family drama “Mother Play,” huddled in a banquette.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2024

It’s the day after Green Day pre-taped its “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” performance, and Armstrong, Dirnt and Cool are seated shoulder to shoulder on a banquette at the Sunset Marquis’ dimly lighted Bar 1200.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2024

The whole wall behind the banquette is storage.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

In another space-saving move that provides flexibility, the banquette can be used for dining or as a sofa, and lifts up to provide storage.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2022

Freckles shifts on the banquette and sets his phone aside.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle