: 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
In return, investors earn a mix of trading fees and bonus tokens.
—
Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Captain Ampadu set the tone by splitting promotion bonuses equally and continues to drive standards.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Opponents previously argued against an element of the overlay that would have allowed bonus height on top of the 35-foot maximum — already about as tall as a two-story building — if a developer met certain requirements.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025
Her club not only recommends books, but also releases abundant bonus material with each selection, including author interviews (also available on her Spotify Book Club podcast), playlists and discussion guides to make the most of the reading experience.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Captain Ampadu set the tone by splitting promotion bonuses equally and continues to drive standards.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Opponents previously argued against an element of the overlay that would have allowed bonus height on top of the 35-foot maximum — already about as tall as a two-story building — if a developer met certain requirements.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025
Her club not only recommends books, but also releases abundant bonus material with each selection, including author interviews (also available on her Spotify Book Club podcast), playlists and discussion guides to make the most of the reading experience.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 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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