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

Taylor pictured a retro servers-on-skate diner vibe with banquettes shaped like 1950s cars, with leather chef’s jackets. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2026

Wood included two firepits (gas-powered, for safety) in the yard—one by the banquette, and one by the dining area, above. —Rory Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026

Cash’s fine-dining pedigree (including time at Per Se and Noma) might suggest formality, but the brick walls and leather banquettes feel inviting, not intimidating. —Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026

Wise’s largest restaurant to date, has a combination of green upholstered banquettes and bistro-style seating indoors, as well as 44 patio and bar seats outside. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 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
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette
• cadet