: 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
Norway, which boasts the most medals in Winter Games history, does not award cash bonuses for podium finishes.
—
Lee Ying Shan,sydney Goh, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Claiborne mentioned that minor league pitching coaches Demetre Kokoris and Peter Larson have also aided Lagrange, who received a measly $10,000 signing bonus as an international free agent in 2022.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
The Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings).
—Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Times-Union, 15 Feb. 2026
But, one expert-level tip Piper shared with us is to air dry your linens occasionally for a bonus in fiber protection.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Lee Ying Shan,sydney Goh, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Claiborne mentioned that minor league pitching coaches Demetre Kokoris and Peter Larson have also aided Lagrange, who received a measly $10,000 signing bonus as an international free agent in 2022.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
The Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings).
—Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Times-Union, 15 Feb. 2026
But, one expert-level tip Piper shared with us is to air dry your linens occasionally for a bonus in fiber protection.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
Cite this Entry
“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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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