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.

---

banquette British  

/ bæŋˈkɛt /

noun

1. an upholstered bench

2. (formerly) a raised part behind a parapet

3. a footbridge

---

Etymology

Origin of banquette

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

Example Sentences

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 crisp white tablecloth in front of me shined bright white, and the banquette seating offered the same minimalist design as some of the region’s trendiest spots.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2023

The whole wall behind the banquette is storage.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

A host leads you into a dining room dressed up with ornate carved screens, photos of India from yesteryear and spice jars behind a long banquette.

From Washington Post • Dec. 19, 2022

Freckles shifts on the banquette and sets his phone aside.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle