couchette

[ koo-shet ]

noun

, Railroads.

1. a sleeping berth in a passenger compartment that can be collapsed to form a benchlike seat for daytime use.
2. a compartment containing such berths.

couchette

/ kuːˈʃɛt /

noun

1. a bed in a railway carriage, esp one converted from seats

Word History and Origins

Origin of couchette¹

From French; couch, -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of couchette¹

C20: from French, diminutive of couche bed

Example Sentences

Some travelers sit upright all night just to save a few bucks, but I prefer booking a bunk in a dormlike sleeping car called a “couchette” for the cost of a cheap hotel room.

From Seattle Times

So we had selected two bunks in a couchette.

From New York Times

France is set to say au revoir to the couchette, as the country’s department of transport prepares to withdraw overnight train routes from Paris.

From The Guardian

My next night was spent in a chestnut-colored couchette — mildewy, threadbare, vaporous — from Belgrade to Sofia.

From New York Times

I boarded my final couchette car, a whitewashed capsule with “Istanbul” stenciled in blue.

From New York Times