banquette

noun ban·quette \ baŋ-ˈket , ban- , sense 1b is also ˈbaŋ-kət \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of banquette

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

b Southern : 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

Recent Examples of banquette from the Web

The new arrival, in a clingy black dress and flat Gucci sandals, slid into the banquette.

— rachel deloache williams, The Hive, "“As an Added Bonus, She Paid for Everything”: My Bright-Lights Misadventure with a Magician of Manhattan," 13 Apr. 2018
The banquettes, cocktail seating and regular chairs, which hold about 200 people, aren't more than 30 feet from the stage, said Kirstin Brueckmann, communications and marketing manager for The Cabaret.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Classy dinner service is part of new Cabaret that brings Broadway and TV stars to Indy," 5 Apr. 2018
Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass panels that open completely in warm weather, the main dining room is bisected by an iridescent light-blue banquette studded with globe lighting.

— mark kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Lumen restaurant to light up Detroit's Beacon Park in April," 19 Mar. 2018
Wander into the new kitchen, designed by Jessica Helgerson, and see a sleek, family-friendly banquette and a large island.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "1885 Victorian mansion opens up: Updating without erasing character (photos)," 22 Mar. 2018
The right side of the dining space is home to a row of banquettes with a wooden canopy suspended overhead, adding intimacy to the seating.

— courtney dabney, star-telegram, "Mesero is spicing up the Clearfork dining scene, and so is its mole | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 22 Mar. 2018
Balcony box and banquette subscriptions (four seats for each show) are $864-$1,488.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "Great Lakes Theater's 2018-19 season to showcase powerful women, from 'Pride and Prejudice' to 'Mama Mia!' (preview)," 4 Feb. 2018
One horseshoe banquette quickly became the epicenter for A-list power women, as Natalie Portman, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Eva Longoria and America Ferrera crowded the sofa.

— monica corcoran harel, New York Times, "Elisabeth Moss, Mariah Carey and Reese Witherspoon Party After the Golden Globes," 8 Jan. 2018
This SouthPark steakhouse is plush, with a busy bar and a long banquette for cozying up at tables.

— kathleen purvis, charlotteobserver, "Looking for a steak? Here are 5 great places around Charlotte | Charlotte Observer," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'banquette.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of banquette

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1629

See Words from the same year

Learn More about banquette

See words that rhyme with banquette

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up banquette? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

banquette

Definition of banquette

Recent Examples of banquette from the Web

Origin and Etymology of banquette

Learn More about banquette

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

bloviate

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix'?

'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

banquette

Definition of banquette

Recent Examples of banquette from the Web

Origin and Etymology of banquette

Learn More about banquette

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes