banquette

noun

ban·​quette baŋ-ˈket 

ban-

sense 1b 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

The dining area sports a banquette that curves into the bay window. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2026

The decor of the 175-seat diner, which also includes patio seating, conveys the feel of a classic icon of Americana, with its booths and banquettes upholstered in shades of burgundy and caramel. — Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

The custom banquette is upholstered in a fabric from Perennials Fabrics and topped with pillows covered in Robert Kime fabric. — Michelle Ruiz, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

The room is a design flex of its own — velvet banquettes, rich purples, cerulean blues, gold and marble, with art exclusively by women. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for banquette

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette
• cadet