bonus

noun

bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Perhaps earmark some of those funds for a reissue of the Beastie Boys’ third album, Ill Communication, which is out now in a massive presentation across three 180g LPs with lenticular cover art and 12 bonus cuts and remixes, all stored in a hard slipcase. Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Nov. 2024 As a bonus, the audiobook is read by Garten herself (how fabulous is that?). Sarah Felbin, SELF, 20 Nov. 2024 Starbucks Rewards members who use the Starbucks app also get a bonus 25 stars. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 17 Nov. 2024 And in the same way that having Andy Samberg on contract for election reasons means a bonus Lonely Island song, having Carvey around translates to a fresh celebrity impression here from him: Al Pacino. Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bonus 

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, good — more at bounty

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonus was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near bonus

Cite this Entry

“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bonus

noun
bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on bonus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!