banquettes
|ban-quettes|
/bæŋˈkɛts/
(banquette)
small bench
Etymology
'banquette' originates from French, specifically the word 'banquette' (a diminutive of 'banc' or 'banque'), where 'banc' meant 'bench' or 'bank'.
'banquette' entered English from French (borrowed as 'banquette'); the French term itself is a diminutive form related to Old French 'banc' (bench), ultimately from a Germanic root (cf. Old High German 'bank').
Initially it meant 'a small bench' in French; over time English adopted both the sense 'bench/seat' and the specialized military sense 'raised step behind a parapet'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
long upholstered bench or built-in seat, typically set against a wall (often found in restaurants or cafés).
The café installed cushioned banquettes along the windows to increase seating.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/12 19:52