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

Velvet banquette couches and mid-century modern furniture punctuate roomy seating areas throughout the hotel, along with two main restaurant venues, an elegant cocktail bar, and a cozy coffee shop. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026

The main kitchen is all sleek wooden cabinetry, with an eat-in banquette curved into the central island. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026

Across the room, a custom dining table and banquette—with vintage Palecek chairs pulled up—is the unofficial puzzle zone. —Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026

Design-wise, the property channels a tropical, yet moody vibe with pendant lighting and banquette couches, paired well with some of the building’s original touches, like granite walls and blue and cream tiles. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 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