: 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
The last weekend of the month there’s a bonus market to visit on the historic Via Rivarola, called Tipicamente Chiavari, with artisanal and DOP produce.
—
Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
This Weatherman umbrella is sturdy and small, which is a bonus for windy and rainy days.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
Hess maturing The Yankees drafted Hess, a righty, No. 26 in 2024 out of Alabama and gave him a below-slot signing bonus of $2.7 million.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 2 May 2025
As a nice bonus, the blurring primer has a hint of tropical smell (from the coconut juice and cactus flower extract) that’s truly divine.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
This Weatherman umbrella is sturdy and small, which is a bonus for windy and rainy days.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
Hess maturing The Yankees drafted Hess, a righty, No. 26 in 2024 out of Alabama and gave him a below-slot signing bonus of $2.7 million.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 2 May 2025
As a nice bonus, the blurring primer has a hint of tropical smell (from the coconut juice and cactus flower extract) that’s truly divine.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 2 May 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 16 May. 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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