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 of bounty

• 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

Maduro’s most powerful deputies, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, are still doing their jobs, despite the $25 million and $15 million bounties placed by the US government on their heads. —Flora Charner, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

And that’s because the food scene here takes advantage of the bounty of flavors that South Florida has to offer. —Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

His hunch confirmed, Wedding began plotting to kill Acebedo-Garcia and put a $5 million bounty on his head, according to the new indictment. —Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026

Plenty of clubs, Chelsea perhaps foremost, have spent small bounties of their own on changing their manager or head coach. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026

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