: 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 collectible steelbook will include a bonus disc with special features created by Paul Thomas Anderson.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
However, in a bright spot for Sony, a sequel to the movie has already been confirmed, with Netflix reportedly providing the Japanese company a $15 million cash bonus for the first film’s performance.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
The New York Mets extended the qualifying offer to Díaz, which means landing him would cost the Yankees their second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2026 draft, as well as $1 million from their international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The special edition will include a bonus disc with special features created by Paul Thomas Anderson.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
However, in a bright spot for Sony, a sequel to the movie has already been confirmed, with Netflix reportedly providing the Japanese company a $15 million cash bonus for the first film’s performance.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
The New York Mets extended the qualifying offer to Díaz, which means landing him would cost the Yankees their second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2026 draft, as well as $1 million from their international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period.
—Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
The special edition will include a bonus disc with special features created by Paul Thomas Anderson.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 10 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 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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