parquet

[ pahr-key ]

noun

1. a floor composed of short strips or blocks of wood forming a pattern, sometimes with inlays of other woods or other materials.
2. the part of the main floor of a theater, opera house, etc., that is between the musicians' area and the parterre or rear division or, especially in the U.S., the entire floor space for spectators.

verb (used with object)

, par·queted [pahr-, keyd], par·quet·ing [pahr-, key, -ing].

1. to construct (a floor) of parquetry.

parquet

/ ˈpɑːkeɪ; -kɪ /

noun

1. a floor covering of pieces of hardwood fitted in a decorative pattern; parquetry
2. Also calledparquet floor a floor so covered
3. the stalls of a theatre
4. the main part of the Paris Bourse, where officially listed securities are traded Compare coulisse
5. (in France) the department of government responsible for the prosecution of crimes

verb

1. to cover (a floor) with parquet

Word History and Origins

Origin of parquet¹

1670–80; < French, diminutive of parc park; -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of parquet¹

C19: from Old French: small enclosure, from parc enclosure; see park

Example Sentences

Boston made a blockbuster move in 2017 by trading for Irving, with the hopes of seeing him grace its parquet floor in the NBA Finals.

From Seattle Times

The Celtics didn’t mess around after dropping Game 2 on their home parquet floor by 24 on Thursday.

From Seattle Times

Whatever the reasons, the local chapter of the Danish Brotherhood constructed a big, sturdy, multiuse building with handsome parapets outside and handsomer parquet flooring inside.

From Seattle Times

Settled down on the polished parquet flooring, no doubt cross-legged, they were part of something that would shape the learning landscape forever.

From BBC

When it was suggested he might become defence secretary in a previous reshuffle, he said that if removed, "you will see nail marks on the parquet floor in my office".

From BBC

Related Words

• carpet
• carpeting
• linoleum
• tile
• woodwork