: something in addition to what is expected or strictly due: such as
a
: money or an equivalent given in addition to an employee's usual compensation
b
: a premium (as of stock) given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a promoter, or to an employee
c
: a government payment to war veterans
d
: a sum in excess of salary given to an athlete for signing with a team
Examples of bonus in a Sentence
As a bonus for good behavior you can stay up late.
The product has the added bonus of providing extra vitamins.
Staff members were given a bonus for finishing the project on schedule.
The company offered bonuses to entice new workers.
We receive annual bonuses at the end of the year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nationally, only 776 air traffic controllers and technicians who had perfect attendance during the government shutdown will receive $10,000 bonuses, while nearly 20,000 other workers will be left out, the Federal Aviation Administration said last week.
—
Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 24 Nov. 2025
This sheet set is made of incredibly soft (and super breathable) bamboo and is also temperature regulating, a bonus for those of us who run hot while sleeping.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Cox advises explaining that there is a time and a place for those conversations, but raises and bonuses should be a different conversation than holiday celebrations.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025
The resultant working group recommended that the TWC develop a wage supplement or bonus plan for childcare workers—requiring an investment of more than $2 billion.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 24 Nov. 2025
This sheet set is made of incredibly soft (and super breathable) bamboo and is also temperature regulating, a bonus for those of us who run hot while sleeping.
—Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Cox advises explaining that there is a time and a place for those conversations, but raises and bonuses should be a different conversation than holiday celebrations.
—Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025
The resultant working group recommended that the TWC develop a wage supplement or bonus plan for childcare workers—requiring an investment of more than $2 billion.
—Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
Cite this Entry
“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bonus
noun
bo·nus
ˈbō-nəs 
: something given to somebody (as a worker) in addition to what is usual or owed
Etymology
from Latin bonus "good" — related to bona fide, bonbon, boon entry 2, bounty
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