A bench is a long seat on which multiple people may sit at the same time. Benches are typically made of wood, but may also be made of metal, stone, or synthetic materials. Many benches have arm and back rests; some have no back rest and can be sat on from either side. Classic garden bench:

• A bench seat is a traditional seat installed in automobiles, featuring a continuous pad running the full width of the cabin.
• A bench (weight training) is used for fitness exercises, such as the bench press which is named after its use of a bench.
• Swing [秋千] seats are independently movable, suspended benches, used for play or as a relaxing porch swing.
• A carpenter's bench is a long heavy table used for working on with tools or equipment.

A workbench is a sturdy table at which manual work is done. In electronics, formally a fixture in radio shacks, now used for assembly and repair of all sorts of electronic equipment including communication, computer, and home entertainment items. These benches usually have sources of power built in, along with shelves and task lighting. Software used the metaphor of a workbench for exposing file management and application launching functionality, or for designing processes connecting data sources to operations and models.

在英国，法官、议员等坐的地方也叫bench. The bench is also the seat where members of a sports team sit when they are not playing in the game.