bounty

noun

boun·​ty ˈbau̇n-tē 

plural bounties

1

: something that is given generously

nature's bounty

2

: liberality in giving : generosity

3

: yield especially of a crop

this summer's bounty of tomatoes

4

: a reward, premium, or subsidy especially when offered or given by a government: such as

a

: an extra allowance to induce entry into the armed services

b

: a grant to encourage an industry

c

: a payment to encourage the destruction of noxious animals

a bounty on coyotes

d

: a payment for the capture of or assistance in the capture of an outlaw

had a bounty of $500 on his head

Synonyms

• reward
• price
• bonus

Examples of bounty in a Sentence

summer's bounty of plump tomatoes

The cottage is filled with a bounty of fresh flowers.

Recent Examples on the Web

The History Of Tomato Pudding Tomato pudding evolved as a way to use up summer's bounty of garden tomatoes. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025

Eating in season is a deep and inspiring worldview that connects you to nature, to the bounty of the land around you, to the rhythm of your own life. —Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025

Once upon a time, the Pelicans had a bounty of draft picks from the Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday trades and a possible generational building block in Williamson. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

What To Know A DHS review of Drug Enforcement Administration material said gangs operating in southwest Chicago neighborhoods, including Pilsen and Little Village, were presented with bounties to carry out assassinations of federal officers, according to the Washington Examiner. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bounte goodness, from Anglo-French bunté, bountee, from Latin bonitat-, bonitas, from bonus good, from Old Latin duenos; akin to Sanskrit duva reverence, favor

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bounty

• bounty hunter

Rhymes for bounty

• county

Kids Definition

bounty

noun

boun·​ty ˈbau̇nt-ē 

plural bounties

1

a

: generosity sense 1

b

: something given generously

2

: money given as a reward (as for killing a harmful animal or capturing a criminal)

Etymology

Middle English bounte "goodness," from early French bunté (same meaning), derived from Latin bonus "good" — related to bonus

Legal Definition

bounty

noun

boun·​ty ˈbau̇n-tē 

plural bounties

1

: generosity in bestowing gifts especially by will

2

: a reward, premium, or subsidy especially offered by a government